At least 30 killed as ‘suicide blasts’ tear through peace rally crowds

Dozens of people were killed and many more injured after two explosions ripped through a crowd gathering ahead of a peace march in the centre of the Turkish capital Ankara. Bloodied bodies were seen in the street after the blasts which happened near the city’s main train station. At least 30 people died, with 126 others injured, government officials said. They confirmed the explosion was a terrorist attack but said claims suicide bombers were responsible were still being investigated.

Two bombs exploded in very short intervals. There was a massacre in the middle of Ankara

Lami Ozgen, head of the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions, which organised the march

The target was a march calling for “peace and democracy” and an end to the violence with the Kurdish separatist group, the PKK. Graphic images from the scene showed survivors resuscitating the wounded and several dead bodies draped in flags. One video showed a line of protesters holding hands and singing before a bomb explodes and a ball of flames shoots up into the air behind them. There were angry clashes between police and demonstrators in the aftermath of the blasts, other witnesses reported. Prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu is holding a meeting with his security chiefs.