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A female suicide bomber attacked a police station in the historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul's old city Tuesday, injuring at least two officers - one of them seriously - officials told Reuters and local Turkish media.

The woman spoke English after entering the police station but her nationality and identity were unknown, Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin told reporters at the scene, according to Reuters and the Associated Press. He said one of the police officers was seriously wounded while the suspect was dead.

The attacker targeted tourism police at the facility, in Sultanahmet Square, news site Hurriyet reported. The areas is close to major attractions such as the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace museum.

Local television footage showed police closing nearby streets, while local public transport was shut down.

It is the second attack on police in a week. On Thursday, police subdued a man after he threw grenades and fired a weapon at officers near the offices of the prime minister.

Istanbul police confirm to @Reuters that one police officer seriously injured in attack in #Sultanahmet. #Turkey — Jonny Hogg (@jonnyhogg1) January 6, 2015

— Alastair Jamieson