Turkish authorities said the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers, reportedly linked to al-Qaeda.

The explosions come just days after 23 people died in suicide bombings on two synagogues in the city.

More terror attacks on cities in Turkey may be "imminent", the British Government has warned.

Firming up travel advice to the region, the Foreign Office said new information suggested Istanbul and Ankara could be likely targets.

If you were in Istanbul at the time of the blasts, we would like to hear from you. Read your eyewitness accounts of the bomb attacks.

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

Your reaction

My brother was in the HSBC building third floor. He only survived because the windows were earthquake-proof -- and as such, they came in as complete sheets of glass, rather than shattering. I just want to say: thank you to the people who built that building. And on that note: I wish Turkish people all possible success in building their country up to become a modern democracy. And -- although I may offend some people -- it is my heartfelt wish, that we all one day can live in a world free of organised religion.
Ed, Hamburg, Germany

All we can do is show those who want to distress us with such horrible and dreadful acts, that we shall not fear nor stop to work to achieve a peaceful world Ozlem, Istanbul

I have lost someone I know, Nanette Kurma working at the consulate, which is still devastating. The blast put a fire into our hearts, and I have been shaken by the death of someone I know, as well as others who lost their lives. My sister was a close friend of Nanette, she married a Turk and my sister was her bride's maid at their wedding. She was a very nice person and she loved Turkey. I did not want to believe that she died at the blast.

We are in deep shock and all we can do is show those who want to distress us with such horrible and dreadful acts, that we shall not fear nor stop to work to achieve a peaceful world .May all those who lost their lives rest in peace, may Nanette rest in peace.
Ozlem, Istanbul

When the bombing, I was across of the door of Consulate Building. I saw it. It was terrible. I hope it does not happen ever again anywhere in the world.
Arif Sonmez, Galatasaray, Istanbul

I live in the Kumkapi in Istanbul, not far from where the British consulate used to stand. During the blast I lost my cousin and a dear friend - I utterly condemn the attack.
Cem, Istanbul

As someone who has visited Turkey on several occasions I have found the people to be wonderfully warm and friendly. I am so sorry this awful waste of human life has been visited upon you and you are in all of our prayers.
Gerry, Scotland

When I heard of the explosion at the HSBC head office, I was very concerned because my wife works just across the bank's building. There is also a big shopping mall there where employees from Levant businesses go for a lunch or coffee. Had the blast occurred during lunchtime, the number of casualties would be much higher. This is definitely a big shock to us. I cannot understand why Turkey has been selected as a target despite its critical standpoint of US during the Iraq war. I believe the terrorists' see us as followers of Bush's policies although the majority of Turkish people think the other way.
Guclu, Istanbul

I helped some people but I know that was not enough Bekir Kayaoglu, Istanbul, Turkey

I am a student at university. We heard a very loud noise. It was incredible. Everybody was running with shock. Firstly I did not have any idea to do. But later I decided to go to explosion place and help injured people. When I went there I couldn't believe my eyes because the view was terrible with smoke and injured people. I helped some people but I know that was not enough.
Bekir Kayaoglu, Istanbul, Turkey

I was in the cinema when the explosion happened at the consulate. We thought that an earthquake had happened even though the cinema was not so close to the consulate. When we went out, there was glass everywhere. People were yelling and running everywhere.
Alican Elkorek, Istanbul, Turkey

I live in Istanbul and know people in the Consulate, including people who have been killed. It goes without saying that I utterly condemn the totally indiscriminate murder of these people. The civilised world must pursue these people relentlessly and strike at them with an iron fist. Having said that, the civilised world must also not neglect to go after the root of this cancerous terrorism, much of which stems from hatred of Israel and what is rightly or wrongly seen in much of the world as unconditional British and American support for Israel. When combined with the suffering of the people of the Middle East at the hands of medieval dictators and the West's inconsistent and self-interested engagement with them, the result is a poisonous broth from which the cancer of terrorism is born.
Mike, Istanbul

Mike/Istanbul: What does Israel have to do with a bomb in Istanbul? Are you still so naive that you think that Israel is the reason for international terrorism? Don't kid yourself-they hate you as much as the next Jew or Israeli, so stop hiding behind this lame excuse for the extremism and murder that these people represent.
Caroline, London

Though the targets seem to be British, the real target is the humanity Nuri, Istanbul

I am student at Galatasaray High School. From our school, the British Consulate is 20 meters. I had to be at the corner of the consulate at the time of the bombing. When I heard the blast from 100 meters I did not want to believe my eyes. I saw the yellow smoke going up. It was awful...
These terrorist acts are the products of damned sick minds. Though the targets seem to be British, the real target is the humanity. All we can say is that if we have start a war against the terrorism, it shouldn't be like the terrorists themselves. We have to find another way, a way that will surely more accurate than Bush and Blair's...
Nuri, Istanbul

I live in Goztepe, a neighbourhood on the Asian side, and heard a huge explosion. The windows in my house shook with the volume. My initial response was thinking that it was an earthquake, but when I heard all the sirens going on outside, my mum called me and told me that it was on the news that bombs had exploded on the European side. Everyone here is shocked, because Istanbul was a very safe city with no security problems. We refuse to be terrorized and shall continue our daily lives.
Esra, Istanbul

I was at the pub, about 300 meters from the consulate when the bomb exploded. Many people were screaming and shouting. I went out and run through the consulate to help the others. I just can't believe this happened to the people of Istanbul. Modern Turkey wants to be part of European Union and Turkey always been a good friend for Americans, British and other western world. Our hearts go out to the Turkish and British victims. Good bless us all.
Asena Melis, Istanbul, Turkey

This mass destruction of humanity has got to stop Reena Jobanputra, London, England

My brother Rakesh lives and works in Istanbul, and was a mile away from the scenes of carnage. When I heard about the bombings, I went numb. I was lucky that my brother survived but I can not even begin to comprehend the raw pain and confused emotion that people who have lost loved ones are feeling. This mass destruction of humanity has got to stop.
Reena Jobanputra, London, England

I stayed with the Short family briefly in Bosnia a couple of years ago. Roger Short was a great guy and even though I met him briefly he clearly loved that part of the world and its people. His death is a sad loss to Britain and Turkey.
John Cloke, London, UK

I was at a cafe which is 400 metres from the British consulate in Istiklal Street when the bomb exploded. There were many people screaming and in shock. After we felt the first shock, many of the people and I ran to the British Consulate to help the injured people. I cannot find words to explain the view of the people over there. But I can give you an example; there were a five-year-old girl whose face was full of blood, she was standing near her mum whose head was also injured by a stone from the consulate wall. I just thought at the time - what the hell do the terrorists want from that innocent girl? This is not about Islam, neither Christianity. Allah bless all off us
Adem Esen, Istanbul

I was in a building nearby having a meeting with CEO of a company. Suddenly the building was shaken with a big noise. Our first reaction was to think of an earthquake but then we found out the smoke coming out. It was horrible to hear another explosion. We feared others might follow. Damn the people who thought, planned and did it. Damn the mentally sick minds, who has no relationship with humanity.
Ismail Alkis, Turkey

My heart goes out to the victims and their families Cem Salur, Turkey

I was at my university near the second target today with my mother. While we were speaking to the Dean of Students, a secretary came in and gave us news about an explosion near a big and busy shopping mall. Both the Dean and my mother were crying. I quickly went to the cafeteria to tell my friends what had happened five minutes earlier. As we were speaking of the first bombing, we heard a tremendous boom. It was so loud I thought the bomb went off inside our cafeteria. I saw the windows shake and I quickly ran for cover. After about five minutes we learned where the bomb had struck. Never in my life have I felt fear as much as I have today. It was painful day for not only me, but Turkey and the rest of the world. My heart goes out to the victims and their families.
Cem Salur, Turkey

It is good to read the comments here. Unlike the anti-war protesters in the UK, the Turkish people almost all blame the terrorists for these attacks instead of trying to blame Bush and Blair. God Bless Turkey!
Anon, USA

My heart goes out to you Istanbul. Although I am not there, I witnessed Sept 11th in NY and lost someone very dear in such devastation. Tonight I cried for you. My heart goes out to you Istanbul!
Cathy, Brooklyn, NY

I am a Turkish citizen living in the USA. On Saturday, I woke up and I heard the terrible news. Now, today I woke up and again there were two other terrible bombings. I was terrified and started to think what if it happens the next day. But, then I thought to myself, I would not let those evil terrorists take my (our) basic sense of security. I am very sad but as much as being sad I also feel angry. I condemn these attacks and any other event that will threaten the world peace.
Asli, Turkey /USA

The whole peace loving world should condemn such senseless and barbaric acts of terrorism Safi, Hong Kong

The whole peace loving world should condemn such senseless and barbaric acts of terrorism. Unfortunately, condemnation does not stop these evil acts. One has to think why such attacks are becoming more frequent and more diverse. Is President Bush winning the war on terrorism? I think the Iraq war, if anything has added fuel to such attacks and has given a kind of legitimacy to the terrorists. Iraq was ruled by a ruthless dictator, but Iraq was not a terrorist country, nor a safe heaven for those on the run. Now suicide bombing is a daily event in Iraq.
Safi, Hong Kong

Bush and Blair have opened Pandora's Box but not fully! We expect American targets soon. They should come here and see the death, misery and devastation caused by them and their policies. We are all so shocked and frightened.
Pat Sharp, Istanbul

To Pat Sharp, Istanbul: That's the fundamental disagreement, isn't it? Pandora's Box has been opening for years. It's not just a creation of Bush and Blair. To ascribe every horrible deed to the US is as arrogant as the US claiming it should solve the world's problems. I think our focus should be on the victims of this disgusting act. As Adem Esen said, God Bless everyone.
Guy, USA

Last month, the European Union turned down a Turkish request to list the Great Eastern Islamic Raiders Front as a terrorist organization. This is the group that claimed the Istanbul synagogue bombings. The EU rejected Ankara's request on the grounds of human rights.
Benekli, Ankara / NYC

We are deeply shocked at the attack on British interests Carol Abel, Luxembourg

I was not in Istanbul but my brother in law and his wife both work in the Consulate there. Mercifully they are both safe and have been helping the others. We are deeply shocked at the attack on British interests.
Carol Abel, Luxembourg

My office is opposite to the American consulate, so close to British Consulate. I was working at the office when the bomb exploded. It was terrible to hear that sound.
Pinar Taspinar, Istanbul, Turkey

My wife's office is next to the HSBC bank building. She called me right after the explosion and informed me about her safety. Minutes later, when I rose from my table (I was in Asian part of Istanbul)I heard the second exposition and I recalled 11 September tragedy.
Cumhur Oranci, Istanbul, Turkey

I live in Atasehir on the Asian side, about 20 km from the sites of the blasts. They must have been very big as I was able to hear one of them with all the windows closed in my apartment.
Ric Caster, Istanbul, Turkey

Those who work for western companies or banks will never feel safe again in this city Fatih Eren, Istanbul

It was a huge blast that shattered nearly all the shop windows in an area of circa 300 metres radius from the HSBC bank. Those who work for western companies or banks will never feel safe again in this city.
Fatih Eren, Istanbul

I was injured in the blast which happened near the British Consulate. I was on my way there to get my visa. I felt as if I lost my life and got it back again.
Yousef, Syria/ Turkey

We were in Ankara for an event when we heard the attacks. We suddenly started to call our family, relatives and friends in Istanbul but mobile networks and normal phones didn't work for a while.
Umut Aydin, Istanbul, Turkey

I can say that this is the second experience of bombing in my life, first being by the NATO bombing my home city of Belgrade. Personally, I don't see much difference between the two, in a moral sense, since both caused loss of innocent lives, and produced no good whatsoever. I most deeply regret the meaningless death of anyone, regardless of religion or nationality. thank you
Jelena Stevanovic, Istanbul, Turkey

Our building is next to the HSBC Headquarter, we were managing a meeting in 14th floor, with the very powerful blast we rocked then witnessed a terrible picture. I am very very sorry. Next target could be any of us, wherever we are. I invite officials to stop those crazy mentality...
Deniz Kayahan, Turkey

More than half of the school start to cry Emreahin, Turkey, Istanbul

I'm from American Robert College which is 2 miles from the HSBC bank. When clocks stroke 11:50 everyone in the school had a shock. At first we thought it was an earthquake but from the voices coming from the bank, it was definitely from an explosive. Then we had our second shock in 5 minutes. It was totally terrible. We could see the yellow smoke coming from somewhere. After we learned what was going on more than half of the school start to cry. One of my classmates' father is working in the main building of HSBC bank. No-one could stop her crying. Everyone shared her sorrow. But then her father phoned and said two hours ago he fell from stairs and broke his leg, so he had to go hospital. If she had had wings, she would have flown hundreds of miles.

Our school is the biggest and first American school out of America. One of the targets could be us. Security was very strict. There twenty security guards wandering around 5 of our buildings. No-one's parents were allowed to enter school and take their children. At the end of the day we learned that for the safety we won't come school next day. With the school buses we passed 40 meters near of the HSBC bank. It was half-destroyed. We could only see the cement on one side of the building. It was a big shock for Istanbul. No-one guessed Al-Qaeda could go on bombing. I hope terror will be finished some day.
Emreahin, Turkey, Istanbul

I know the Consulate building in Istanbul and anyone who knows it will be aware it is a very substantial building. It comes as a shock to see the damage done and to realise the power of the explosion that caused that havoc and destruction. I also know the staff at the Consulate to be as helpful, compassionate, competent and fair as anyone could wish. There were a shining example of how to get on with the local people and help British Citizens in need. So it is even more sad that the random loss of life has occurred. Everyone's thoughts will be going out to all those affected by this bomb outrage; the families of those murdered and the injured and their families.
James G, Watford UK

I was preparing to go university when my mum and I heard a big bomb. The first thing came to my mind was a terrorist attack. Bomb attacks on the British consulate and the HSBC bank headquarters in Istanbul have left a city in chaos with at least 26 dead and 490 injured. The HSBC bank is near the most crowded place, traffic blocked the main road therefore ambulances had difficulties to take people to hospital. Everyone cried by the shock of the bomb attacks. Much of the city's telecommunication has been cut.
Gizem Ayla Sencar, Istanbul, Turkey

Now the most striking thing is the silence around the city Andrea Petti, Turkey

This morning I was in my office (1km far from UK consulate) when I heard the blast, suddenly I went to the window and I saw the bomb cloud. I realized immediately that this was a terrorist attack. I tried to reach my friends and my relatives but telephone lines were useless, then ambulances started running and helicopters appeared above the bomb cloud. All the people were like crazy. Now the most striking thing is the silence around the city.
Andrea Petti, Turkey

It is almost 19:00. The city has not begun to recover from the severe trauma of the blasts. This act is part of the ever updated master plan of a global terrorism at work. It is important to note that the attacks were multi-targeted: 2 synagogues, the British Consulate and the HSBC Bank located in one the most "intense" centres of the metropolis. Yes, all this may now have happened in Istanbul. Isn't there a wider panorama? The meta-national structures formed by nations who assemble on "project basis" constitute the focal points where this global terrorism aims at.

Now in Istanbul, we are sad. We are angry. All day we have been watching people trying to walk in the yellow fog, among the ruins, stepping on the blood of a fellow human-being killed by another one! I question the very essence of being human.
Ayenur, Istanbul, Turkey

I was at school at the time. I was taking an exam and, although my school is not really close to the targets, we all heard the noises coming outside. The windows were shaking and we were all scared. Soon teachers told us what was happening. We were worried for our parents. When the exam was over I called my parents and learnt that they were all okay. At 3 pm school was over and I was on the way home but the bus stopped suddenly and I saw that the road was closed to traffic, so I started to walk. While I was walking I passed through some buildings which had broken windows and I saw the HSBC building it was terrible! I never thought that I would see it like that! I wish this two blasts are the last ones.
Esra �etinel, turkey

I believe al-Qaeda has worn out its welcome among many supporters throughout the world Shiek Mahtoumb, USA

By killing more Muslims, al-Qaeda is losing any sort of credibility in the Muslim world that they are defenders of Islam and only fighting the West. I believe al-Qaeda has worn out its welcome among many supporters throughout the world. I really wished that the U.S War on Terror actually was working. I wish Muslim countries would do something about terror groups operating in their borders but they don't. As long as this continues, the War on Terror will not produce results.
Shiek Mahtoumb, USA

Our office building is in the Asian side of Istanbul and we heard the sound of the bombs that had blown up in the European side. It was such that we thought they were very near to where we work!
Orkun Kayaoglu, Turkey

We can say in Istanbul life has stopped. All the important roads through the bomb area are closed to traffic. The bomb area is one of the most important area for business. HSBC Bank and Metro City (the biggest shopping centre) were damaged. There are more than 25 death and 390 injured people.
Elif Karagoz, Turkey

I totally agree with the interior minister of Turkey, we have to keep calm and we should not panic unnecessarily. These merciless terrorists are watching us with a great joy. We have to recover ASAP but, but never forget what have happened. Deepest condolences to all losses.
Mehmet, Turkey

Terror will NOT achieve what it is looking for: i.e., fear and chaos.. Mustafa Kizilay, Turkey

My office is 250 yards from the HSBC building. I have seen the blast from 18th floor. Terrible noise and smoke, all windows trembled. No damage in my building. We continued work. There is no panic at all. I think there is a misinterpretation in some of the news. There is no panic in the streets, when I read your page I couldn't believe my eyes. Istanbul is a BIG city and life is going on. Terror will NOT achieve what it is looking for: i.e., fear and chaos...
Mustafa Kizilay, Turkey

The British Consulate is some 12 miles away from our offices. The fact that we heard this gives some clue as to the size of the blast. In fact such was the noise that a colleague on the Asian side of the water even reported (erroneously) that there had been an explosion near him. This spread of the sound probably accounts for the confusion as to the number of blasts that followed.
Its very sad. We all now expect some kind of military intervention. But the Turkish psyche will not give in to terrorism. The people have won enough battles - and won't even think of 'giving up' now.
Stuart James, Turkey

The scene is complete chaos, the street is full of smoke. People are running and screaming. This is the by far the most distressing day since the earthquake
Baturay Eren, Turkey

I was at the office when all of a sudden I heard and felt a loud noise. I thought it to be thunder striking but I was told it was sunny outside (and as such it couldn't be a thunder strike.). I went out and could see the smoke from Levent. I was at Maslak (About 30 minutes drive from Levent). About 5 minutes later I heard and felt a second explosion. This one was milder though.
Salifu Alhassan, Originally from Ghana.

I am working a kilometre away from the HSBC building. We heard the explosion and the ground under our feet shook. At the moment you can see the clouds from all around the city. The explosion was heard even from the Asian part of the city. That's why, until the official explanation has been made, we thought that there were explosions also in Goztepe, Uskudar vs. (asian side). Now, everything has settled a little bit. Everyone is trying to do whatever they can. Terrorist acts, no matter for which purpose or in the name of which belief are cursed all over Turkey. What has happened is a shame for all humankind. Damla
Damla Ozluer, Turkey

We saw a smoke cloud higher than 40 meters, raising over Beyolu Fabrizio Mambrini, Turkey

The scene is surreal- half of the city is empty, no traffic, the other half is packed with traffic, tens of ambulances crying over the streets. At the moment of the blast in the British consulate, we saw a smoke cloud higher than 40 meters, raising over Beyolu. Immediately after, news from our colleagues in Levent told us that all the windows of the skyscrapers in that area trembled, and that HSBC building is a wreck. There are people under the concrete, and in the streets people crying everywhere. Road to airport still free but traffic is quickly jamming
Fabrizio Mambrini, Turkey

The explosion near the British consulate could be heard at a 10 kilometre radius. The Ernst Young building is located in Sisli which is between Taksim and Levent. The Taksim explosion was noticed by us, which we saw a bubble of dust rise at least 8 stories high. The sound of ambulance sirens now engulf the streets of Istanbul. Many are afraid.
Erdem Kilincaslan, Turkey

Istanbul is like hell. Blood, smoke, fear, everywhere... innocent people died in front of our eyes... I want to say one thing to Bush and Blair: Stop the wars, stop exploiting the peoples, stop killing nature and earth... The only way to fight terror is to promote equality, freedom and fraternity; to fight to hunger, poorness; to help poor people of the world...
Ahmet Macarolu, Turkey

My office is on the other side of Bosphorus and I heard a shocking blast and then I saw a yellow cloud over the European side. I damn those who are responsible from these bombs
Mehmet Eyup Kizilok, Turkey

I left the office immediately to go pick up my kids Ebru, Turkey

I live in Levent and it happened like a major earthquake or a gas explosion. I knew there was something wrong so I left the office immediately to go pick up my kids. Levet, the place is like a strip mall with the HSBC facing the exit of the Subway. It is all very cluttered and we go there with the kids to buy bread or candies from the shops. I saw a very dense and yellow smog. We rushed to school and I was the first one to pick the kids up. Now the bus service has been cancelled and most kids are stranded in schools. The main arteries are closed to the traffic. The place at HSBC is the main road of Istanbul leading to both Bridges on the Bosphorus. So people will not be able to go home unless they open the roads. On TV we see charred bodies and very graphic images. We also do not have running water in Levent right now. People are just shocked....
Ebru, Turkey

As many of such incidents, the first news arriving from the crime scene is always the most exaggerated. For the ones who are into what has happened there I would like to brief it as follows.
1. Two major blasts in European side of Istanbul, one in Levent and another in Beyoglu district. The former one aimed the HSBC building, whilst the latter went for the British consulate.
2. The official casualties are reported as 17, as well as some 300 injured.
3. Rumour was, another major explosion took place in the Asian side, however declined by authorities, as well as my personal contacts resident in the said area.
4. There is a shock of sudden terror, however the scenes narrated in the news article are far from being realistic. They sound more like cut pastes of the Marmara region earthquake news from 1999.
5. For the ones unaware, I would like to remind this terrorist act is the second in the past week. First incident took place on past Saturday, in front of two major synagogues of the city. The method (bomb loaded vehicle) used is same for both.
6. We condemn terror and violence from whatsoever reason or source.
Utku Oztaskin, Turkey

We need a lot of blood at hospitals �mer Taylan, Turkey

Sorry for my poor English but i needed to write some words to explain the incredible situation at Istanbul. There were two incredible blast at Levent, front of HSBC Bank and at front of British Consulate at Taksim. There are more than 25 people who are died. We need a lot of blood at hospitals. At the time of explosion we were at Zincirlikuyu and we thought that there is an earthquake. Everywhere at explosion place is filled with body parts. Arms, head and legs. Every where we saw pool of blood. We need to leave in peace, go home TERROR...
�mer Taylan, Turkey

It has been crazy here. There is no traffic in front of my building and people are streaming down the street away from the British Consulate. People who know me ask if Sept. 11th was like this for us in the US. People are angry, saddened and a frightened. Most tell me, "Turkey isn't like this. Istanbul has never been attacked like this before."
Robert, USA in Turkey

In Istanbul life has stopped. All the important roads through the bomb area were closed to traffic. The bomb area is one of the most important area for business. HSBC Bank and Metrocity (the biggest shopping centre) were damaged. In Beyoglu the English Consulate was bombed also. There are more than 25 death and 390 injured people. An unknown person called the police department and said that these attacks were made by IBDA-C and El-Kaide; these attacks will go on; Muslims are not alone. The police department said that there may be some similarities to the bombs used in synagogue attacks and the bombs were used today. In today's attacks cars were also used again. An eyewitness said in an interview the car used in Beyoglu attack was a small track and then he said that the track started to go trough the wall of the English Consulate. A few minutes ago the consul had just come to the consulate and still there is not any information about his health.
Elif Karagoz, Turkey

I work at the Sabah Newspaper about a km from the HSBC headquarters. At the bombing I was looking out the window. At first I thought it was an earthquake. It smells so strange outside...
Mohac Yucel, Turkey

After the explosions there were rumours saying there were many other explosions Kaan Sonal, Turkey

My office is almost 15 km away from the explosion site. Even here people heard the explosion. Some thought it was an earthquake. After the explosions there were rumours saying there were many other explosions on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. (All of them turned out to be fake alarms.) All of us called our relatives and friends even we know they are not there. Telephone lines were busy but they did not stop or collapse. Mobile base stations were sent to site by my company.
Kaan Sonal, Turkey

We were in Bogazici university and working in lab. Then two big explosions were heard from Rumelihisarustu which is 3km away from Levent. We sadly guessed terrorist attacks. Four hours ago from explosion I have just crossed in front of HSBC bank and saw young HSBC security boy trying to help the car to leave the park. I just remembered his smiling face. Sad for all passed away. But now we are still trying to finish our homeworks to not to be aware all. That is all we can do now. To study. Sorry for passed away and injured again.
Kagan Omay, Turkey

There is really a chaos everyone is in shock whether they live the event or not. As a journalist we should calm down and search but time to time even i don't know what to think. We feel like really living the "11 of September." And another point is even a hundred years ago there have never been an attack to Moslem country in Ramadan. We are so sorry as Turkish people. And we are sorry for the Jewish-Turkish people too.
Buse �zel, Istanbul Turkey

First of all, we thought that it was earthquake. Everybody is in shock and people are crying. The telephone lines are disconnected. It was like "11 September in Istanbul" We condemn terror, we condemn Bush and Blair. Many innocent people are wounded and died because of their ambition at this terror attack in Istanbul.
Selin Gulen, Istanbul

I work just next to the HSBC building. We've heard the explosion of course and thought that it was an earthquake at first, but then realized the awful situation. The people who committed this act can not be humans and the people who have not experienced something similar will never be able to understand how terrifying this situation is...
Sezer Peker, Turkey

People are in panic here Zeynep, Istanbul

I heard the explosions at home. At that moment I couldn't help thinking of last Saturday's events, but I tried and do not think much about it. In 5 minutes the telephones got locked, the TVs started showing terrific scenes. It is a big tragedy. People are in panic here.
Zeynep, Istanbul/Turkey

My office is 4 km away to the British consulate. At that time we were talking about the explosion in Levet district. And we heard a strong explosion that everyone was panicked. And we saw the smoke going up. We tried to call people on phone but the phone network was blocked because of over load.
Mete Cakli, Turkey

As yet, we do not know exactly how many were killed or injured in the blasts. So far the number reported is about 25 killed and 350 injured. This number is expected to grow. An emergency has been declared, traffic diverted for ambulances. Live broadcasts report hospitals are barely coping with the influx, and police investigations going full blast.
Tankut Erinc, Turkey

I am working at a company just under 1 km away from the British Consulate in Istanbul. This morning we heard a very loud explosion, the building was shaken. For the past few hours electricity and phone networks have been unreliable. We have not been allowed to leave the building so have not witnessed anything first hand.
Simon Harvey, British, living in France

There was total chaos around the place where the terror attack happened Erdem Esder, Istanbul

There was total chaos around the place where the terror attack happened and at the same time all people who were watching T.V got shocked and they immediately grasped their phones to call relatives, but the phone lines were down. In these first minutes, I thought that this bloody terror will never end and our trembling underneath black fog of terror will not subside in any hand.
Erdem Esder, Istanbul

The city is in chaos. Blood and tears everywhere, people are shocked, angry and mourning loved ones, like they were five days ago. If this a political message; it is an evil politics. Messages should not to be sent this way. There is always a better way.
Rakesh Jobanputra, Turkey

The scene is surreal - half of the city is empty, no traffic, the other half is packed with traffic, tens of ambulances crying over the streets. At the moment of the blast in the British consulate, we saw a smoke cloud higher than 40 meters, rising over Beyolu. Immediately after, news from our colleagues in Levent told us that all the windows of the skyscrapers in that area trembled, and that HSBC building is a wreck. There are people under the concrete, and in the streets people crying everywhere. The road to airport is still free but traffic is quickly jamming it up.
Fabrizio Mambrini, Turkey

I was at my house on the other side of Bosphorus in Istanbul, when the explosion in Beyoglu occurred. Beyoglu is exactly across from our flat on the 4th floor where we could clearly hear a huge blast of sound and then see the smog over Beyoglu.
Zeynep Arslanoglu, Turkey