We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again.

Witnesses reported hearing at least one blast in the Çukurambar region of the city.

Photos taken at the scene show smoke rising in the air and badly damaged buildings.

Ambulances have been rushed to the scene although no injuries have yet been reported.

The city's governor Ercan Topaca said the explosion had taken place at a tax office.