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ISTANBUL (AP) -The latest on the investigation into the explosion in the historic center of Istanbul. All times local.
1:20 p.m.
Germany’s interior minister says there are no indications so far that Germans were specifically targeted in the attack in Istanbul.
Germany has taken a noncombat role in the international military effort against the Islamic State group, stationing reconnaissance planes at an air base in Turkey. They flew their first missions last week.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said during a visit to Istanbul Wednesday: “According to the investigations so far, there are no indications that the attack was directed specifically against Germans, and so there can’t be a connection to our contribution to the fight against international terrorism.”
Top German and Turkish officials already were scheduled to meet in Berlin next week to discuss Europe’s migrant crisis. De Maiziere said those talks will also address “the determined fight against terrorism.”
12:55 p.m.
Pope Francis has invited the faithful to pray for the victims of a suicide bombing in Istanbul that killed 10 foreigners, mostly German tourists.
Francis, during his weekly audience Wednesday, asked God to “give eternal peace to the dead, comfort to the relatives, determined solidarity to the entire society and to convert the hearts of the violent.” About 6,000 faithful packed the Paul VI audience hall.
The attack in the heart of Istanbul’s historic district on Tuesday was the latest by Islamic extremists targeting Westerners.
12:30 p.m.
Turkey’s interior minister says one person has been detained in connection with the suicide bombing in Istanbul which killed 10 foreigners, most of them German tourists.
Efkan Ala said during a news conference with his German counterpart that the suspect was detained late Tuesday. He didn’t provide further details.
Turkish media reports said police had raided a home in an affluent neighborhood of Istanbul, detaining one woman suspected of having links to the Islamic State group.
