The interior minister of Turkey has described the explosion outside the interior ministry as a “terrorist attack.”

Around 09:30 (06:30 GMT), two assailants entered a commercial truck and began the attack, inflicting injuries on two officers, according to Ali Yerlikaya.

One attacker “neutralised” himself in front of a government building, according to Mr. Yerlikaya.

The blast occurred just hours before parliament was scheduled to meet.

It is not clear who the attackers were. No-one has claimed the attack.

The first media reports of an explosion also spoke of gunfire heard in the area. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with police blocking several surrounding roads.

“Our struggle will continue until the last terrorist is neutralised,” Mr Yerlikaya wrote on social media.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was due to speak at the opening of the parliamentary session, which must validate Sweden’s entry into Nato.

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