After the initial media reports stating that at least four persons died and 38 were injured in a blast that occurred in a busy pedestrian area of Istanbul on Sunday afternoon, the local officials and media outlets later confirmed that the number of fatalities increased to six while more than 50 were injured.

“According to initial reports, four people lost their lives and 38 were injured in the explosion that took place on Istiklal Street. Our wounded are being treated. We wish God's mercy on those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the injured. Developments will be shared with the public,” Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya wrote on Twitter.

Photos and video footage shared on social netowrks show disturbing images from the moment when the explosion happened.

Horrible footage from Istanbul Istiklal Street explosion, seems like there are deaths.

Appears like a terror attack pic.twitter.com/l169OQO0HC

— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) November 13, 2022

Firefighters and medical teams were immediately dispatched to the area and police have taken security measures following the reports on the explosion, local media reported.

Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu called for caution.

“It is essential to assist our Police and Health teams regarding the explosion on Istiklal Street, and to avoid posts that may cause fear and panic. All relevant teams are in the region, we will provide healthy information,” he said.

The cause of the explosion remains unknown.

Calling the explosion in Istanbul on Sunday afternoon an attack, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said state authorities would work to identify those responsible for it.

“All the responsible figures will be identified and punished,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan added that he and his delegation would be departing shortly for the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, as planned.

An investigation has been launched into the explosion, the country’s official Anadolu news agency reported.