At least 40 people were killed and dozens of others were injured when explosions shook a Turkish town on Saturday near the border with Syria where mortar fire has in the past spilled over from Syria’s civil war.
The death toll rose throughout the day as many of the injured were critically wounded. Interior Minister Muammer Güler told private NTV channel that the number of people who were killed in the blasts was 40. He added that at least 100 people were injured, 29 of them heavily injured.Although initial reports said four blasts occurred near the municipality offices in the town of Reyhanlı in the southern Turkish province of Hatay, Güler said there were two blasts caused by two bomb-laden vehicles. He said the explosions occured near the municipality and post offices.
The minister added that they fear the number of casualties may increase. Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu said 15 ambulances were dispatched to the area.