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3 Israelis, 1 Iranian killed in Istanbul bombing attack

Xinhua, March 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

The investigation is continuing over a suicide bombing attack in central Istanbul on Saturday that killed three Israelis and one Iranian, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said.

"On behalf of my country, I condemn the murderers who committed this atrocious attack which directly targeted innocent people, as well as the traitors who supported and instigated such an inhuman act," the premier said in a statement.

He vowed to continue the fight against terrorism with the same determination "until it is completely eradicated".

The attacker also died in the bombing along with Israeli citizens Simha Simon Demri, Yonathan Suher and Avraham Goldman and Iranian Ali Reza Razmkhah, Turkish media said, quoting Istanbul's forensic science institution.

The blast in Istiklal Street, a pedestrian street popular with both locals and tourists, left 36 others injured, including foreigners from Ireland, Iceland, Germany, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Iran, said Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu.

Metal pieces and screws were detected on the bodies, implying the attacker used a cluster bomb, the Haberturk daily said.

Istanbul and Turkey's capital Ankara have come under repeated bombing attacks over the past few months, the last one hitting Ankara on March 13 and killing 37. Endit