ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN) -- At least 26 people have been killed in bomb attacks on the British consulate and a London-based bank in Istanbul -- five days after a terrorist strike on synagogues in Turkey's biggest city.

The worst terror bombings in the country's history coincided with a state visit to Britain by U.S. President George W. Bush and were blamed on al Qaeda.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said 450 people were injured in the blasts at the high-rise headquarters of the HSBC bank and the British consulate, which occurred five minutes apart at about 11 a.m (0900 GMT) on Thursday.

Sixteen people were killed in the bombing at the British Consulate, and 10 were killed in a bombing that targeted a London-based bank in a crowded shopping area, he said.

Fifteen people have undergone surgery, four others are in intensive care, and 110 others are still at hospitals, he said. The other wounded people were treated and released, he said.

Among the dead was British Consul-General Roger Short, the consulate's chaplain said.

Father Ian Sherwood of the Anglican Church in Istanbul told CNN: "I've been with the family of consul general since it happened and, sadly, the consul general is dead."

Thursday's blasts came five days after two suicide bombers attacked synagogues in Istanbul, killing 23 people and the bombers.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw described Thursday's blasts as a "clearly appalling act of terrorism."

"At this stage we can't say who is responsible," Straw told reporters in London, but he added the blasts bore "all the hallmarks" of the international terrorism of al Qaeda and associated groups.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush also condemned the Istanbul blasts and vowed they would not be deflected from the war against terrorism or trying to rebuild Iraq.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Bush, the prime minister said the attacks in Turkey showed how important it was for coalition forces to "carry on" their mission in places like Iraq.

"We stay until the job gets done," declared Blair.

Shortly after Thursday's explosions, a government office in Istanbul received a phone call from al Qaeda and a Turkish Islamic militant group -- the Great Eastern Islamic Raiders' Front (IBDA-C) -- claiming joint responsibility for the attack, CNN Turk reported.

IBDA-C initially claimed responsibility for twin attacks on Saturday.

Both the U.S. and Britain warned their citizens against non-essential travel to Turkey as a result of the bomb blasts.

Eyewitnesses said they believe the blasts were caused by suicide car bombers.

Turkish Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu warned against speculation on which group is responsible for the attacks, saying that could hamper the investigation.

"We are still considering all the options," Aksu said, speaking to the media shortly after landing in Istanbul from Ankara. "Our state security court and public prosecution (have) brought in a ban on the coverage and this has been done to investigate the incident more properly."

Video of a shopping mall near the HSBC bank showed chaos with people streaming out of the area, some with bloody faces and blood-soaked clothes. Shattered glass and burned vehicles littered the street.

Chris Kitrinos, an English teacher at a school adjacent to the British consulate, said the damage there was "very extensive." The school's windows had been blown out and police told CNN Turk that the consulate's outer wall had been destroyed.

The British consulate was targeted in April when an explosive device was hurled at the building, the UK's Press Association reported. No one was injured in that incident.

The Istanbul stock exchange was closed following the blasts, Reuters reported.

In London HSBC issued a statement after the blasts. "We are working to ascertain the welfare of our staff in the city. At this stage it is clear that a number of our colleagues have been injured and some may have lost their lives. We await clear details from Istanbul.

"Our thoughts are with our colleagues and their families," said Stephen Green, HSBC's Group chief executive. "We are, of course, doing everything possible to support our colleagues in Turkey as they deal with these tragic events."

"We would like to confirm that HSBC remains totally committed to its business in Turkey

Meanwhile, Istanbul's governor has confirmed the identities of two Turkish men that authorities believe committed Saturday's twin suicide attacks on the synagogues.
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Dude I can't explain my feelings.I always believed that US made a wrong job by entering Iraq but it's really different when you see terror by your own eyes.I still can't believe it.

At 10:55 today the lesson ended and we chatted with friends while going to the cafeteria.Suddenly we heard a thundereous noise and earth shaked.We thought that the government was cleaning the exploded synagog's street which was nearly 100-200 metres from my school.Then a girl said that HSBC bank in Levent(which was nearly 5 kilometres away) exploded and there were heavy casualties, she said that her mom phoned her for details.We joked about that until the bell rang again and we went to our classes , everyone was chit-chating about the bombing and they were even saying that Galatasaray High-School was bombed( one of the best schools in Turkey which gives French education with French system while the lessons are French). We thought it could be possible because it was really close to our school.Then our headmaster Herr Born( the same situation with our school (Gymnasium) goes, everything's german, Physik,Chemie, Biologie and so..) made an explanation that there were indeed bombings in Istiklal Caddesi("Freedom Avenue"), one of the biggest avenues in Istanbul, it's said that you can find every type of person there, from the worst beggar to to most charismatic celebrity, it's really a wonder to be seen.The schools I've mentioned are there. Whatever, everyone was panicked and everyone was calling their families, of course communication went down and everyone was more panicked.The new german teachers were very funny, they were really panicked that they forgot our names, class tests and even the classes.Then we didn't make any lessons and went home safely.
At home, I opened TV ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN) -- At least 26 people have been killed in bomb attacks on the British consulate and a London-based bank in Istanbul -- five days after a terrorist strike on synagogues in Turkey's biggest city.

The worst terror bombings in the country's history coincided with a state visit to Britain by U.S. President George W. Bush and were blamed on al Qaeda.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said 450 people were injured in the blasts at the high-rise headquarters of the HSBC bank and the British consulate, which occurred five minutes apart at about 11 a.m (0900 GMT) on Thursday.

Sixteen people were killed in the bombing at the British Consulate, and 10 were killed in a bombing that targeted a London-based bank in a crowded shopping area, he said.

Fifteen people have undergone surgery, four others are in intensive care, and 110 others are still at hospitals, he said. The other wounded people were treated and released, he said.

Among the dead was British Consul-General Roger Short, the consulate's chaplain said.

Father Ian Sherwood of the Anglican Church in Istanbul told CNN: "I've been with the family of consul general since it happened and, sadly, the consul general is dead."

Thursday's blasts came five days after two suicide bombers attacked synagogues in Istanbul, killing 23 people and the bombers.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw described Thursday's blasts as a "clearly appalling act of terrorism."

"At this stage we can't say who is responsible," Straw told reporters in London, but he added the blasts bore "all the hallmarks" of the international terrorism of al Qaeda and associated groups.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush also condemned the Istanbul blasts and vowed they would not be deflected from the war against terrorism or trying to rebuild Iraq.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Bush, the prime minister said the attacks in Turkey showed how important it was for coalition forces to "carry on" their mission in places like Iraq.

"We stay until the job gets done," declared Blair.

Shortly after Thursday's explosions, a government office in Istanbul received a phone call from al Qaeda and a Turkish Islamic militant group -- the Great Eastern Islamic Raiders' Front (IBDA-C) -- claiming joint responsibility for the attack, CNN Turk reported.

IBDA-C initially claimed responsibility for twin attacks on Saturday.

Both the U.S. and Britain warned their citizens against non-essential travel to Turkey as a result of the bomb blasts.

Eyewitnesses said they believe the blasts were caused by suicide car bombers.

Turkish Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu warned against speculation on which group is responsible for the attacks, saying that could hamper the investigation.

"We are still considering all the options," Aksu said, speaking to the media shortly after landing in Istanbul from Ankara. "Our state security court and public prosecution (have) brought in a ban on the coverage and this has been done to investigate the incident more properly."

Video of a shopping mall near the HSBC bank showed chaos with people streaming out of the area, some with bloody faces and blood-soaked clothes. Shattered glass and burned vehicles littered the street.

Chris Kitrinos, an English teacher at a school adjacent to the British consulate, said the damage there was "very extensive." The school's windows had been blown out and police told CNN Turk that the consulate's outer wall had been destroyed.

The British consulate was targeted in April when an explosive device was hurled at the building, the UK's Press Association reported. No one was injured in that incident.

The Istanbul stock exchange was closed following the blasts, Reuters reported.

In London HSBC issued a statement after the blasts. "We are working to ascertain the welfare of our staff in the city. At this stage it is clear that a number of our colleagues have been injured and some may have lost their lives. We await clear details from Istanbul.

"Our thoughts are with our colleagues and their families," said Stephen Green, HSBC's Group chief executive. "We are, of course, doing everything possible to support our colleagues in Turkey as they deal with these tragic events."

"We would like to confirm that HSBC remains totally committed to its business in Turkey

Meanwhile, Istanbul's governor has confirmed the identities of two Turkish men that authorities believe committed Saturday's twin suicide attacks on the synagogues.
-------------------------------------------------

Dude I can't explain my feelings.I always believed that US made a wrong job by entering Iraq but it's really different when you see terror by your own eyes.I still can't believe it.

At 10:55 today the lesson ended and we chatted with friends while going to the cafeteria.Suddenly we heard a thundereous noise and earth shaked.We thought that the government was cleaning the exploded synagog's street which was nearly 100-200 metres from my school.Then a girl said that HSBC bank in Levent(which was nearly 5 kilometres away) exploded and there were heavy casualties, she said that her mom phoned her for details.We joked about that until the bell rang again and we went to our classes , everyone was chit-chating about the bombing and they were even saying that Galatasaray High-School was bombed( one of the best schools in Turkey which gives French education with French system while the lessons are French). We thought it could be possible because it was really close to our school.Then our headmaster Herr Born( the same situation with our school (Gymnasium) goes, everything's german, Physik,Chemie, Biologie and so..) made an explanation that there were indeed bombings in Istiklal Caddesi("Freedom Avenue"), one of the biggest avenues in Istanbul, it's said that you can find every type of person there, from the worst beggar to to most charismatic celebrity, it's really a wonder to be seen.The schools I've mentioned are there. Whatever, everyone was panicked and everyone was calling their families, of course communication went down and everyone was more panicked.The new german teachers were very funny, they were really panicked that they forgot our names, class tests and even the classes.Then we didn't make any lessons and went home safely.
At home, I opened TV
ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN) -- At least 26 people have been killed in bomb attacks on the British consulate and a London-based bank in Istanbul -- five days after a terrorist strike on synagogues in Turkey's biggest city.

The worst terror bombings in the country's history coincided with a state visit to Britain by U.S. President George W. Bush and were blamed on al Qaeda.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said 450 people were injured in the blasts at the high-rise headquarters of the HSBC bank and the British consulate, which occurred five minutes apart at about 11 a.m (0900 GMT) on Thursday.

Sixteen people were killed in the bombing at the British Consulate, and 10 were killed in a bombing that targeted a London-based bank in a crowded shopping area, he said.

Fifteen people have undergone surgery, four others are in intensive care, and 110 others are still at hospitals, he said. The other wounded people were treated and released, he said.

Among the dead was British Consul-General Roger Short, the consulate's chaplain said.

Father Ian Sherwood of the Anglican Church in Istanbul told CNN: "I've been with the family of consul general since it happened and, sadly, the consul general is dead."

Thursday's blasts came five days after two suicide bombers attacked synagogues in Istanbul, killing 23 people and the bombers.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw described Thursday's blasts as a "clearly appalling act of terrorism."

"At this stage we can't say who is responsible," Straw told reporters in London, but he added the blasts bore "all the hallmarks" of the international terrorism of al Qaeda and associated groups.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush also condemned the Istanbul blasts and vowed they would not be deflected from the war against terrorism or trying to rebuild Iraq.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Bush, the prime minister said the attacks in Turkey showed how important it was for coalition forces to "carry on" their mission in places like Iraq.

"We stay until the job gets done," declared Blair.

Shortly after Thursday's explosions, a government office in Istanbul received a phone call from al Qaeda and a Turkish Islamic militant group -- the Great Eastern Islamic Raiders' Front (IBDA-C) -- claiming joint responsibility for the attack, CNN Turk reported.

IBDA-C initially claimed responsibility for twin attacks on Saturday.

Both the U.S. and Britain warned their citizens against non-essential travel to Turkey as a result of the bomb blasts.

Eyewitnesses said they believe the blasts were caused by suicide car bombers.

Turkish Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu warned against speculation on which group is responsible for the attacks, saying that could hamper the investigation.

"We are still considering all the options," Aksu said, speaking to the media shortly after landing in Istanbul from Ankara. "Our state security court and public prosecution (have) brought in a ban on the coverage and this has been done to investigate the incident more properly."

Video of a shopping mall near the HSBC bank showed chaos with people streaming out of the area, some with bloody faces and blood-soaked clothes. Shattered glass and burned vehicles littered the street.

Chris Kitrinos, an English teacher at a school adjacent to the British consulate, said the damage there was "very extensive." The school's windows had been blown out and police told CNN Turk that the consulate's outer wall had been destroyed.

The British consulate was targeted in April when an explosive device was hurled at the building, the UK's Press Association reported. No one was injured in that incident.

The Istanbul stock exchange was closed following the blasts, Reuters reported.

In London HSBC issued a statement after the blasts. "We are working to ascertain the welfare of our staff in the city. At this stage it is clear that a number of our colleagues have been injured and some may have lost their lives. We await clear details from Istanbul.

"Our thoughts are with our colleagues and their families," said Stephen Green, HSBC's Group chief executive. "We are, of course, doing everything possible to support our colleagues in Turkey as they deal with these tragic events."

"We would like to confirm that HSBC remains totally committed to its business in Turkey

Meanwhile, Istanbul's governor has confirmed the identities of two Turkish men that authorities believe committed Saturday's twin suicide attacks on the synagogues.
-------------------------------------------------

Dude I can't explain my feelings.I always believed that US made a wrong job by entering Iraq but it's really different when you see terror by your own eyes.I still can't believe it.

At 10:55 today the lesson ended and we chatted with friends while going to the cafeteria.Suddenly we heard a thundereous noise and earth shaked.We thought that the government was cleaning the exploded synagog's street which was nearly 100-200 metres from my school.Then a girl said that HSBC bank in Levent(which was nearly 5 kilometres away) exploded and there were heavy casualties, she said that her mom phoned her for details.We joked about that until the bell rang again and we went to our classes , everyone was chit-chating about the bombing and they were even saying that Galatasaray High-School was bombed( one of the best schools in Turkey which gives French education with French system while the lessons are French). We thought it could be possible because it was really close to our school.Then our headmaster Herr Born( the same situation with our school (Gymnasium) goes, everything's german, Physik,Chemie, Biologie and so..) made an explanation that there were indeed bombings in Istiklal Caddesi("Freedom Avenue"), one of the biggest avenues in Istanbul, it's said that you can find every type of person there, from the worst beggar to to most charismatic celebrity, it's really a wonder to be seen.The schools I've mentioned are there. Whatever, everyone was panicked and everyone was calling their families, of course communication went down and everyone was more panicked.The new german teachers were very funny, they were really panicked that they forgot our names, class tests and even the classes.Then we didn't make any lessons and went home safely.
At home, I opened TV and saw that the British Consulate and the HSBC bank was bombed, one of my best friend's house's windows were down another one's work was down. And I thought to myself if I was panicking so with two bombings, (I'm not mentioning the Synagoges)how could Americans feel about the Twin Towers.From that moment I think the US has done a good job with Iraq, Terrorism and so.
Phew...

That's terrible news, man. But it's good to hear that you're all right. Keep safe - I'll be praying for you.

Good to hear you're safe. Well, prior to the escalation in Iraq the Turkey wasn't known to have an islamist terrorist problem though, they had problems with kurds. It is hard to distinguish cause and effect these days. It has been said more than once, but why not repeat it: The US occupation of Iraq have made the west and the US less safe, not safer. Instead of fighting terror, it induced and inspired more.

Without the intervention there, with british participation, terrorists in turkey would have hardly had a reason to attack british targets. Just a thought.

Yeah, I totally agree with you, it made West really less safer, but once started you must finish the job.
The targets are english ,so this attack is against Bush - Blair talks IMHO. There are more than 13 million people living in this city, and 4 attacks in 5 days showed us how unsecure we are.

Very glad to hear you are safe. The feeling is unexplainable when something like this happens very close to home. I was born in Manhattan and grew up there before I came to Texas. When I saw 9/11 on televsion, it FELT like my home was being attacked and it made me all the more sad and angry. I feel much the same for those in your land, where many are feeling so much grief.

Some believe that the Iraq War is somehow closely linked to the war on terror. Yet, some others believe that the war has other motives and has nothing to do with what happened in New York at all. But it is certain that the actions of the US in Iraq have made the world less safe for everyone. Still, the actions in Turkey must, and should be, laid firmly at the doorstep of those who planned and carried out the savage and cowardly attacks in your country. To blame Bush or Clinton or Blair only aids those who are really responsible for such henious actions.

Khelben glad to hear you are ok. Take care and i hope that this will stop.