ISTANBUL — A suspected suicide bomber detonated a device in Istanbul's main square on Sunday, wounding 15 people, Istanbul's police chief said.
Turkish reports said the explosion occurred close to a spot in Taksim square where riot police were stationed in case of demonstrations.
Police chief Huseyin Capkin said nine police officers and six passers-by were injured in the attack. At least two of the injured were in serious condition.
Capkin said the suspected bomber is male. He gave no further information, but NTV television said a body, believed to be that of the suicide bomber, was lying near the site of the explosion, covered over with newspapers.
Witness Veysel Surmeli told CNN-Turk television that police cordoned off all streets leading to the square. Ambulances had arrived on the scene and medics were seen attending some of the injured.
Kurdish rebels fighting for autonomy in Turkey's southeast, have carried out suicide bombings in the past. The attack comes as a unilateral cease-fire announced by the rebels is coming to an end.
Islamic militants are also active in the city have launched attacks here in past years. (AP)