The 2012 Gaziantep bombing was a terrorist bomb attack which occurred in the city of Gaziantep, Turkey on 20 August 2012, the second day of the three-day celebrations of "Şeker Bayramı" (Eid-ul-Fitr) that refers to the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.[1]
2012 Gaziantep bombing | |
---|---|
Part of the Kurdish–Turkish conflict | |
2012 Gaziantep bombing (Turkey) | |
Location | Şehitkamil, Gaziantep Province, Turkey |
Coordinates | 37°04′41″N 37°22′43″E / 37.078132°N 37.378578°E |
Date | 20 August 2012 |
Attack type | Terror attack |
Weapons | Remote-controlled car bombs |
Deaths | 9 |
Injured | 64-69 |
Perpetrator | Unclear |
The bomb blast occurred at 19:45 in local time.[1][2] Bombs were planted in a truck and remotely detonated near Karşıyaka police station in Şehitkamil district, one of the most crowded areas of the city.[1][3][4][5] The police station was the target of the attack.[6]
As a result of the explosion, two public buses caught fire, increasing the casualties.[7] Many other cars parked on the street and shops were also badly damaged by the blast.[6]
The attack killed eight people.[8] The next day, a 12-year-old girl died of her wounds.[9] Four of the dead were children.[10] The number of wounded people have been reported by Hürriyet to be 66,[7] some of whom were policemen.[11] Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay later said the wounded numbered 69 people.[10][12] 17 of the injured people were hospitalized, four of whom were in critical condition.[6]
Although there was no claim of responsibility, the bombs were believed by Turkish officials to be planted by PKK.[7][13] However, on 21 August 2012, Fırat News announced that PKK had denied responsibility for the attack[9][12] and claimed that another Kurdish group, the TAK was responsible for the attack.[14] On 21 August, four people were detained in Şanlıurfa and brought to Gaziantep for questioning.[15]
Turkey also investigated whether any countries, such as Iran, were involved in the attack as well.[16]