Saudi Gazette report

ISTANBUL — Ahmed Aqil, acting consul general of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, paid a visit to the historic Taksim Square area where a bomb attack took place on Sunday.

he visit to the square, located on Istiklal Avenue in the Beyoglu neighborhood in the central Istanbul, was to express solidarity with the Turkish government and people in their fight against terrorism.

During his visit to the site of the bombing, the Saudi consul general was accompanied by a number of Arab consuls general accredited to Istanbul. Aqil offered his deep condolences to the Turkish government and people, and prayed for the forgiveness and mercy of the deceased. He also wished speedy recovery for the injured.

Six people were killed and 81 others wounded in the explosion that took place on Istiklal Avenue, a popular thoroughfare lined with shops and restaurants that leads to the iconic Taksim Square, on Sunday evening when the commercial street was crowded with shoppers, tourists and families at the weekend.

The local authorities announced the arrest of a suspect who is believed to have planted the bomb that exploded on the bustling pedestrian avenue. According to Turkey's interior minister, initial findings indicate that Kurdish militants were responsible for the deadly attack.