ISTANBUL - Silvio Ovadio, the spokesman of Chief Rabbi's Office in Turkey, said on Saturday that the explosion in Sisli district of Istanbul occurred in synagogues having two separate buildings.
Ovadio told reporters that the blast occurred in the building of the Sisli Betyaakov Synagogue on Nakiye Ergul Street.
Noting that the same synagogue had a big hall in its building on Efe Street, Ovadio said that there were around 300 people in two buildings for Saturday prayer.
Ovadio added, ''there were about 300 people in the synagogue. Four people, including two security officers, died and about 60 people were injured.''
ISTANBUL PROVINCIAL HEALTH DIRECTORATE ANNOUNCES DEATH TOLL AS 20 AND THOSE WHO INJURED AS 257
Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate announced on Saturday that 20 people died and 257 people were injured in two explosions which occurred in Istanbul.
Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate issued a written statement and noted that 26 ambulances and health teams were sent to the spot after explosions that occurred in Sishane district at 09.29 local time and in Osmanbey district at 09.30 local time.
The statement said afterwards number of ambulances increased to 50, and that nearby hospitals were warned to get prepared that injured people could be brought.
The statement said treatments continued in 23 hospitals, stating that all the health institutions were on alert, and all medical teams were called to hospitals.
The statement said there were 12 dead bodies in morgue of Forensic Medicine, four in Taksim Training Hospital, two in Haseki Training Hospital, one in Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, and one in Florance Nightingale Hospital as of 15.00 local time.
SURVIVORS TELL ABOUT EXPLOSIONS IN ISTANBUL
Survivors of two blasts in Istanbul who were taken under treatment in Sisli Etfal hospital told on Saturday about the time of the explosions.
Rifat Hafif, who was in the synagogue in Sisli district during the blast, told A.A correspondent that they heard a big explosion when praying.
Hafif said, ''there were 80-90 people inside. I laid down the ground immediately. Everywhere was dark. Then, we carried out the injured outside.''
Alev Cumbusel said that they woke up with a terrible explosion and rushed out to the street immediately, noting, ''I don't know how I left home. Policemen brought us to hospital.''
Fatih Kuzgun, who has a shop at the spot of the explosion, said that a destructive explosion had occurred and he was many injured. ''I can't believe I am still alive.''
Suna Dincer said that her daughter was injured in her leg in the blast and she was still shocked.
A citizen named Kamil Kaya said that he could not find his son Hamza Kaya, whom he thought to be at the spot of the explosion.
Kaya noted that his son was working in a ready-to-wear atelier on the street where the synagogue was situated. He added that he toured all hospitals but couldn't find his son.
Meanwhile, Eti Siliki, who came to a hospital to donate blood, said that her husband was working at Neve Shalom Synagogue and survived the blast without any injuries.
Siliki said that many people were injured in the blast since the blast occurred during the time of prayer and stated that especially the synagogue in Sisli district was very crowded.
Eti Siliki said, ''we had young people and small children there. It is a big disaster. There are young people among the dead.''
Meanwhile, 17 people who were slightly injured in the eye, ear, hand and foot, came to Istanbul Surgical Hospital and discharged after being treated immediately.
CHIEF RABBI'S SON INJURED IN BLASTS IN ISTANBUL
Chief rabbi Ishak Haleva's son Joseph Haleva was injured in blasts in Istanbul on Saturday.
Joseph Haleva, 30, was taken under treatment in American Hospital.
Haleva, who had deep injuries around his eyes, underwent a surgery in the hospital.
There are also injured people named Hasef Haleva and Yosef Haleva in the same hospital.
Doctors said that Hasef Haleva was in serious condition and was undergoing a surgery.
(BRC-AY) 15.11.2003