Death toll in Turkish attack rises to 95 | WORLD
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Death toll in Turkish attack rises to 95


UPDATE: Turkish officials have raised the death toll from Saturday's attack to 95, with 246 wounded. The death toll is expected to rise.

OUR EARLIER REPORT (11:22 a.m. EDT): A Turkish peace rally turned into a blood-soaked tragedy Saturday after two bombs exploded outside a crowded train station in Ankara.

The blasts killed 86 people and wounded 186 others. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but rally organizers were calling for an end to violence between Kurdish rebel groups and Turkish security forces. The bombs exploded about 165 feet apart. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said investigators have found strong signs the attacks were suicide bombings.

Security officials had been on heightened alert after Turkey agreed to step up efforts against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in neighboring Syria. U.S. warplanes have conducted bombing runs from Turkish bases. Turkish fighter planes also have launched numerous attacks on Kurdish rebel groups.

Witnesses to Saturday's attacks said the protestors were performing a traditional dance, hands locked, when the blasts went off. Family members searching for their loved ones clashed with police at the scene, complaining about slow response.

President Recep Tayyp Erdogan condemned the attack and called for unity.

"The greatest and most meaningful response to this attack is the solidarity and determination we will show against it," he said.

This is the third attack in recent months targeting Kurdish activists. In July, a bombing blamed on ISIS killed 33 peace activists gathered to help rebuilt Suruc, near Turkey's border with Syria.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Leigh Jones

Leigh is features editor for WORLD. She is a World Journalism Institute graduate who spent six years as a newspaper reporter in Texas before joining WORLD News Group. Leigh also co-wrote Infinite Monster: Courage, Hope, and Resurrection in the Face of One of America's Largest Hurricanes. She resides with her husband and daughter in Houston, Texas.


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