95 killed, 246 injured in Ankara twin blast: The minister

Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu said at least 95 people were killed and 246 others were injured in Saturday's twin blasts in Ankara, speaking at a joint news conference with Interior Minister Selami Altınok and Justice Minister Kenan İpek.

“62 people died at the scene immediately while 24 others who sustained serious injuries, died at hospitals," he told reporters at the conference, held at 3:30 p.m. in Ankara.

“Except those who received outgoing-patient treatment, a total of 186 people have currently received medical treatment at hospitals," Müezzinoğlu said. “28 are still in intensive care units while 18 have undergone surgeries."

The Health Ministry has sent all emergency crews to the scene to cope with the sheer numbers of casulties. A total of 56 ambulances traveled back and forth between the scene and hospitals in the vicinity to carry casualties. Family members and citizens rushed to the hospitals to give blood to those, who had been hospitalized in serious condition.

10 ambulances, with several paramedics, have remained on duty at the scene to deal with immediate medical care to those, who may be wounded in possible further attacks. Security sources said there were nearly 14,000 people at the venue of the rally at the time of the twin explosions. No police officers were killed in the blast but nine officers sustained light injuries.

On his part, Justice Minister Kenan İpek has declared an investigation was launched to find perpetrators, involved in the attacks and bring them to justice. “Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office began taking immediate legal action. Four chief public prosecutors and 16 public prosecutors are exerting intensive and rigorous efforts both at the scene and Ankara's Forensic Medicine Institute," he said.

Interior Minister Selami Altınok emphatically rejected a claim stating the twin blasts were the result of a major security gap. “The explosions have nothing to do with a security gap; this is out of the question. Sıhhiye square had been surrounded with police barriers. People coming from different cities have been searched thoroughly at the spot on their arrival. Space and ground searches have been conducted as well," he elaborated.

Altınok has apparently avoided giving a clear response when asked if the attack was connected with a suicide bomber and which terrorist organization could be involved in the twin blasts.

“Although we have some findings regarding the incident, I am not in a position to answer these questions at this stage. We will only be able to answer this question once the claims are enlightened," he said. “It is wrong to share the intelligence reports for the sake of investigation," he added.