AS IT IS 2016-01-13 Terror Rips Open Historic Istanbul Square

AS IT IS 2016-01-13 Terror Rips Open Historic Istanbul Square

An explosion in the historic square of Sultanahmet in Istanbul left at least 10 people dead and wounded 15 others Tuesday.

“We heard a really big explosion. … I didn’t really understand what was happening,” said Ali Hakan Ataman to VOA News. “Blood and flesh were splattered on us and I am sure I saw at least six or seven people laying on the ground dead. I am still in shock.”

Officials said they suspect a Syrian suicide bomber¹ detonated the explosion. They said they believe the suicide bomber had ties to the terror group Islamic State, according to Reuters.

The Turkish government has been attacked by Islamist and Kurdish militants² in the past months. The Sultanahmet attack took place while government security forces crack down on the Kurdish rebel group, the PKK.

Ataman said he thought German tourists were among the victims. 

Another witness, Erdogan Salihli, said the explosion was huge.

“All the buildings around were shaking, and it was very strong and threw people off the ground,” he said. Panic and fear ensued.

“All was quiet for a second or a bit longer. I’ve never seen an explosion in this magnitude. As people were trying to figure out what really happened, the cries of people at the scene was very tragic³.”

Words in This Story

splattered – v. to move, fall, or hit something in large drops

detonated – v. to explode or to cause to explode

ensued – v. to come at a later time

magnitude – n. the size, extent, or importance of something

1 bomber   

n.轰炸机，投弹手，投掷炸弹者

参考例句：

• He flew a bomber during the war.他在战时驾驶轰炸机。
• Detectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.追查伦敦爆炸案凶犯的侦探们急于对他进行讯问。

2 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

3 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。