In a statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the incident “in the strongest terms,” extending condolences to the relatives of the victims, the Turkish people, and the Republic of Türkiye.

The foreign ministry wished a speedy recovery for those injured during the attack, and said that Egypt rejects “all forms of violence and terrorism."

The ministry also called for all countries around the world to “maintain solidarity in the face of this hateful phenomenon and to drain its sources of support financially, intellectually, or in any way.”

A bomb exploded on a major pedestrian avenue in the heart of Istanbul today, killing six people, wounding dozens and sending people fleeing as flames rose, the Associated Press reported.

Footage posted online showed ambulances, fire trucks and police at the scene on Istiklal Avenue, a popular thoroughfare lined with shops and restaurants that leads to the iconic Taksim Square. In one video, a loud bang could be heard and flames seen as pedestrians turned and ran away.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the blast a “treacherous attack” and said its perpetrators would be punished.

In addition to the six people killed, Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya tweeted that another 53 were wounded.

Erdogan did not say who was behind the attack, but he said it had the “smell of terror.” He said that investigations are ongoing by the police and the governor’s office, including reviewing footage of the area.

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