ISTANBUL: A suicide bomber blew herself up on Wednesday in the Turkish city of Bursa, wounding at least 13 people, officials said.

A Turkish official said the attack in the popular northwestern tourist destination was carried out by a suicide bomber.The office of the governor of Bursa said in a statement carried by the state-owned Anadolu Agency that a woman believed to be a suicide bomber blew herself up.

Turkey’s health minister, Mehmet Muezzinoglu, said 13 individuals were wounded in the attack but none of them were in critical condition.

He said another seven people sought medical attention over ear pain and hearing problems as a consequence of the blast.

The explosion ripped through an area that is home to an Ottoman-era mosque and bazaar.

Local channels broadcast footage of people fleeing the area as police and ambulances rushed to the scene.

There was no immediate word from officials on the possible affiliation of the bomber.

Turkey has recently been hit by several attacks by the Islamic State group and Kurdish rebels.

The United States on Tuesday issued a new warning to its citizens about “credible indications” of terrorist threats against tourist areas in Turkey.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2016