Several explosions occur near a municipal building in Istanbul

Several explosions shook an Istanbul municipal building on Thursday injuring one person, news agencies reported on Thursday.

One blast occurred in a garbage-collecting truck in the car park of the building in Uskudar on Istanbul’s Asian side. The other two ripped through a neighboring cemetery, Uskudar mayor Mehmet Cakir told the state-run Anatolian Agency.

Cakir said the investigation is underway to find the cause of the explosions.

Dogan News Agency previously said four explosions were heard and grenades were hurdled into the garden of the building. Broadcaster CNN Turk said hand grenades or small bombs designed to scare rather than kill are thought to have been used. Police immediately sealed off the area.

Two people on a motorbike were seen fleeing the scene, TV channels also reported. The wounded man suffered a minor leg injury, NTV television said.

Dogan News Agency also quoted witnesses as saying they heard four explosions.

This, if confirmed as a bomb attack, would be the second one in Istanbul in less than two weeks.

Inform,07.08.08