Accessibility links

Breaking News

Gunman Shot Entering Ukraine Consulate In Istanbul

Updated

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -- A Turkish man armed with a gun and suspected of carrying a bomb was shot and wounded by a security guard when he tried to enter the Ukrainian consulate in Istanbul today, Turkish officials said.

Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler said a bomb squad was investigating a bag containing cables that the man had been carrying, but it was doubtful whether there were explosives inside.

"We don't think it is a bomb, but the police are checking it, and will probably blow it up, just in case," the governor told NTV news channel.

The governor said the 29-year-old man's wife was living in the Ukraine, and his motive appeared to be personal rather than political.

The man tried entering the consulate at around 9 a.m. and began firing randomly, before he was shot by a guard.

The wounded man was taken to hospital and he was not in a critical condition, the governor said. There were no other casualties.

Television images showed police cordoning off the area in the Florya neighbourhood, near the city's international airport. Police also evacuated nearby buildings.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG