Six civilians wounded in cultural center bombing in Turkey’s southeast

ŞIRNAK – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photos

Four students and two library personnel have been wounded in a bomb attack at a cultural center in the southeastern province of Şırnak.Masked militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) entered the cultural center’s boiler room at 9 a.m. on Dec. 25 and placed some improvised explosive devices inside while security forces were working to remove trenches and barricades erected near the Şırnak Environment and Urban Planning Directorate adjacent to the center.A fire erupted inside the building in Şırnak’s central Yeni Mahalle neighborhood as a result of the explosion and accompanying Molotov cocktails attacks.Reports indicate 17 students were studying in the library, which is connected to the provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate, at the time of the attack.While all students were evacuated alive, four students and two personnel were wounded in the fire. Reports indicate PKK militants opened fire at security forces during the evacuation, which quickly precipitated clashes as police returned fire.The wounded civilians were transferred to Şırnak State Hospital for treatment.The fire was brought under control with the use of water cannon after firefighters failed to appear at the scene.According to reports, police made an announcement from inside their armored vehicles, urging fire squads to intervene.“Fire squad, why are you not intervening? Legal action will be taken against you,” the announcement said.An extensive operation has been launched to apprehend the militants who remain unidentified.