According to the reports, 8 people have died, 50 have been wounded and 15 people are missing as a result of the explosion of an explosive-laden truck in Durumlu located in Sur Diyarbakir.

According to ILKHA local press the explosive-laden truck was first seen in Tanisik Village near a group of houses. The truck was later parked outside the farms in the village where the villagers felt suspicious and asked the driver to move the truck. Upon this, the people in the truck were identified as members of the PKK and they began to threat the villagers with their weapons. People from the neighbourhood notified their neighbours and asked their relatives to block the truck way. The villagers later followed the explosive-laden truck when they made a move from Tanisik Village.

7 vehicles followed the explosive-laden truck

Approximately 7 vehicles with 17 people followed the explosive-laden truck and the truck was stopped near Dicle River located in Durumlu. Passengers from the truck then began to fire gun shots which resulted in a short clash between the two sides. After a short period, the explosive-laden truck was exploded. It has not been confirmed whether the truck exploded as a result of a bullet hit or whether it was exploded by the PKK.

It has been reported that all the passengers in the truck and the all the villagers that were following the truck have been killed in the explosion. At least 15 people are missing and the exact number of deaths have not been confirmed yet.

Law enforcement officials arrived late at the scene

Ambulance and National Medical Rescue Teams were sent to the scene of incident but the security forces arrived late.

8 of those killed have been identified

Orhan Yakar, Seyithan Yakar, Remzi Yaman, Ugur Yaman, Tevfik Yaman, Ahmet Yaman, Hasan Asrak and Mustafa Yakrak were killed in the explosion. Their corpses were sent to Dicle University Research Hospital mortuary. Investigations continue in the village.

50 people wounded

At least 50 people were wounded in the explosion and from those wounded Fatma Ozcelik, Askeri Ozcelik and Haci Ozcelik have serious injures. Their names as follows: “Musa Yaman (aged 32), Tarik Yaman (29), Huseyin Yaman (12), Fatma Yaman (26), Mehmet Raif Yaman (23), Ragip Yaman (36), Sedat Yaman (22), Fehmi Ozcelik (17), Askeri Ozcelik (29), Bedia (31), Ayhan Ozcelik (15), Mehmet Ozcelik (14), İdris (10), Hacı Ozcelik (18), Ibrahim Ozcelik (11), Hasan Ozcelik (16), Fatma Ozcelik (41), Mahmut Ozcelik (3), Oktay Ozcelik (12), Mustafa Ozcelik  (1), Oya Ozcelik (31), Abdulkadir Yakrak (29)”

Several vehicles and houses have been damaged as a result of the explosion and there has been an power cut in the village.

Villagers explained the moment of the explosion

The Chief Governor of Sarikamis District, Abdulmenaf Karakas spoke to ILKHA about the matter, “I tried to call several different places last night after the explosion but I could not get any sufficient information. I spoke to someone from the village and they said the village had been destroyed. On my arrival to the village I noticed that this was true. Children and women were crying and there were body parts covered in blood on the streets.”

“15 people are missing”

Karakas stated that 15 people are missing from the Tanisli Village, “5 dead bodies were found last night and the 4 of these have been identified. We found and sent 6-7 hand and arm pieces but we don’t know how many people these belong to.”

Several houses have been damaged as a result of the explosion said Karakas. He added, “Almost every house in the village has been damaged and there are several people wounded. 3 of those wounded have serious injuries.”

“Body parts were scattered everywhere”

Mehmet Ozcelik, from the village neighbourhood, explained the night as: “I was at home with my family and guests and we heard gun shots from outside. Just as we approached to open the outside door we heard a very loud explosion. People started to panic and children were running around crying in the village. Everyone was outside within seconds of the explosion and there were about 60 people. We immediately called the ambulance and directed them to the location. They arrived later than expected so we managed to take some of those wounded to the hospital with our own cars. I also called the gendarme and I explained what had happened.”  

Hamdiye Ozcelik also explained the scene and 3 of her children were also wounded. She stated: “We were at home when we heard the gun shots followed by a loud explosion and a power cut. I couldn’t see anything and until later I realised that my 3 children were wounded. We took my children to the hospital but our car was also damaged. One of my children has serious injuries but the other two are said to be fine.”

Veli Aktas, visiting the village stated that they do not approve of these incidents and he explained the explosion moment, “We heard a very loud noise and the house windows opened as a result of it. We were all very scared and children were continuously crying. We rushed outside and saw the smokes. We assumed that it was a bomb. One person dying is the same as everyone dying in the world.” (ILKHA)