2 people are reported dead following a double explosion at the HDP’s Diyarbakır rally. HDP Co-Chairperson Selahattin Demirtaş repeated his call for calm and peace as in previous attacks targeting the party: “We will win, peace will win. I congratulate your resolve.”
A bomb attack targeting an HDP rally took place today in Diyarbakır. The explosions that happened towards the end of the rally organized at İstasyon Square with the participation of HDP Co-Chairperson Selahattin Demirtaş led, according to the most recent reports, to the death of 2 people and more than 100 injuries.
Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Mehdi Eker stated that 2 people had died and more than 100 people had been injured in 2 successive explosions at the HDP rally in Diyarbakır.
Minister of Health Mehmet Müezzinoğlu also made a statement, saying: “Around 50 citizens have been injured, with 20-24 already in hospitals, and ambulance planes have been directed to the area.”
Minister of Energy and National Resources Taner Yıldız also made a statement, explaining that contrary to initial reports, the explosions were not related to ‘a power station explosion’ in the area. Yıldız said, “The entrance of the power station was damaged, however this was caused from an explosion that took place outside the station. The fact that the station continues to operate as normal is further proof that it was not related to the explosion.”
Following the double explosion, HDP Co-Chairperson Selahattin Demirtaş made a statement in front of the DBP (Democratic Regions Party) Diyarbakır Headquarters. Speaking after DBP Co-Chairperson Kamuran Yüksel, Demirtaş said:
“We will stand shoulder to shoulder and overcome this attack. No doubt they will try to stop our march. They have tried to strike a blow to our heart everywhere. Yet what we need is peace. We will bring peace to this country. You will provide that peace.
Since the explosions, people have called us from all four corners of Turkey, from the Black Sea, from the Mediterranean, to express their support. That is what they are trying to destroy. Everyone whose heart is beating for peace is with us today.
We will retain our calm and continue our work. HDP is not a party that can be tricked by such set-ups.”
“The perpetrators must be found”
“They wanted hundreds of people to trample each other in İstasyon Square. We want the perpetrators to be found. If the perpetrators are found, then the path for Turkey to progress will be cleared. Such attacks must not remain unsolved.
Trust me, we are on the right path. We are meeting in squares for the struggle for humanity. We are travelling all across Turkey, not only for ourselves, but so Turkey as a whole can breathe more easily. We are the voice of the people, of what’s right, and of conscience, that is why they are so angry with us.
We will continue our work with great determination, so I plead with you to not be defeated by your anger. We are in charge of our campaign.
We will win, peace will win. I congratulate your resolve.”
Statements from other parties
Speaking following the explosions, Prime Minister Davutoğlu said, “We will investigate the incident to find out whether it was a power station explosion, an assassination attempt or a provocation, and we will reach that result as soon as possible”.
Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan said, “We have to wait until we can shed light on the incident. It is important to remain calm at times like this.”
The leader of the main opposition party CHP, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, also made a statement and said, “I hope the statement of the authorities turns out to be true, and that this is really a power station explosion, and not any other kind of sabotage. We wish a swift recovery to all our injured citizens. I also congratulate the HDP for cancelling the rally as an act of calm”.
