The police stand guard near a car explosion site in Reyhanli of Hatay, Turkey, July 5, 2019. A car explosion on Friday hit Reyhanli town in Turkey's southern province of Hatay near the Syrian border, killing at least three Syrians and wounding another, Anadolu Agency reported. (Xinhua)
ANKARA, July 5 (Xinhua) -- A car explosion on Friday hit Reyhanli town in Turkey's southern province of Hatay near the Syrian border, killing at least three Syrians and wounding another, Anadolu Agency reported.
"The initial findings suggest the explosion is likely linked to terrorism," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul.
"It is clear there was a bomb in the car," he said.
The blast took place some 750 meters away from the government building in the town center, according to Daily Sabah.
TV footage showed thick black smoke and flames from the car after the blast. A large number of ambulances and police teams were dispatched to the scene.
Security measures were intensified at the exits and main streets of the area.
According to preliminary determination, the blast was caused by handmade explosives.
The investigation into the cause of the explosion is under way, Provincial Governor Rahmi Dogan said.
Located to the north of the Syrian border, Reyhanli district has been home to a large population of Syrian refugees since a war broke out in the country.
In May 2013, 53 people were killed in twin car bombings in downtown Reyhanli, marking one of the deadliest attacks in Turkey's modern history.
