Istanbul, March 19 () - Five people were killed and at least 20 others were injured in a suicide bomb attack in central Istanbul, on the busy İstiklal Avenue in Taksim.

The attack happened on Balo Street in front of the local governor’s office of Beyoğlu, and a through investigation has been launched into the attack, Istanbul Gov. Vasip Şahin told reporters.

The pedestrian street was completely sealed off and police officers and ambulances were deployed to the area. Six injured victims were taken to the Haseki Hospital, and one of them was in critical condition, while there were two injured in critical condition at Şişli Etfal Hospital.

The attack in Istanbul came six days after a suicide car bomb attack in the heart of the capital city of Ankara, which killed 37 people.