Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A powerful explosion rocked the center of Istanbul. According to the NTV channel, the incident occurred on the popular pedestrian street Istiklal in Beyoglu district. The Breaking News Twitter account reported that several people were injured in the explosion.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the explosion in the center of Istanbul. The Turkish leader said that preliminary data indicate that the explosion was a terrorist attack.

"According to preliminary data, the Istiklal explosion has signs of terrorism," Erdogan said.

According to Erdogan, a bomb was used for the attack. The President promised to "punish according to merit" those responsible for what happened. Law enforcement officers have now cordoned off the area. The cause of the explosion is still unknown.

According to Yenisafak, 11 people were injured. Later, the governor of Istanbul announced on Twitter about four dead and 38 injured.

Istiklal Street is located in Beyoglu district. It is completely pedestrian and is considered one of the most important tourist streets in Istanbul. In particular, the Russian consulate is located on this street.

The cause of the explosion is still unknown. The police blocked the passage to Istiklal Street.

“Our security, health, fire and emergency services were dispatched to the scene. There are dead and wounded,” said Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya (quote from Haber Global). According to local media, four victims of the explosion are known. Law enforcement authorities do not rule out that this is a terrorist attack.

The Istanbul Prosecutor General’s Office launched an investigation into the explosion and five prosecutors have been appointed, writes TGRT Haber.