The explosion that hit Istanbul’s busy İstiklal shopping street on Sunday, killing six and injuring dozens has caused sorrow in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
State and government officials in the TRNC issued messages expressing the country’s sorrow and support to the Turkish nation.
President Ersin Tatar, the Speaker of Parliament Zorlu Töre, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu and Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu all issued messages on Sunday expressing their anguish over the loss of life in the explosion.
President Tatar in his message said that he was saddened to hear of the news of the death of six people and the injury of 53 others in this treacherous attack.
“I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the families of those who were killed in this bomb attack and a swift recovery to those injured. On behalf of myself and the TRNC, I would like to wish Türkiye a speedy recovery,” he said.
Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre also issued a message in which he said this unfortunate incident was heart-wrenching as the TRNC was preparing to celebrate its 39th anniversary of establishment.
“It must be known that all attempts to divide the Turkish nation will be unsuccessful and futile. The Turkish Cypriot people stand together with our motherland during this painful incident,” he said.
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel in his message wished Türkiye a speedy recovery and expressed his condolences for those killed in the attack.
He said he strongly condemned the attack and expressed the hope that those responsible will be caught and brought to justice as soon as possible.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu and Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu also issued similar messages condemning the attack, wishing Türkiye a speedy recovery and expressing their condolences for those killed.