Pope sends condolences to victims of Istanbul explosion

Duvar English - Reuters

Pope Francis has sent his condolences to the families and friends of those who died in the Nov. 13 explosion in Istanbul, saying he was "deeply saddened" by what happened, the Vatican said in a statement.

The 85-year-old pontiff added he prayed that no act of violence would discourage the efforts of the people of Turkey "to build a society based on the values of fraternity, justice and peace."

Turkey on Nov. 14 blamed the Kurdistan Worker' Party (PKK) for the blast that killed six people and injured more than 80.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast on the busy pedestrian avenue, and the PKK and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have denied involvement.

Police have detained 50 people as part of the investigation into the blast, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ was quoted as saying by state-owned Anadolu Agency on Nov. 15. 

The suspected bomber, a Syrian woman named Ahlam Albashir, was detained early on Nov. 14 at a house raid in Istanbul.

Footage showed her with make-up and nail polish on as she was taken from the house wearing a purple jumper with the words "New York" on it. Her shoulders were raised and her face was bruised in a photo shared by police.

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