2015 Ankara bombings — bombing of Ankara Central railway station on October 10 2015
The deadliest terror attack in Turkish history, killing 109 civilians at a peace rally in Ankara just weeks before a general election.
Key Facts
- Date and time
- 10 October 2015, 10:04 local time (EEST)
- Death toll
- 109 civilians killed
- Injured
- approximately 500 people
- Days before general election
- 21 days before 1 November 2015 election
- Suspected perpetrators
- ISIL-linked Dokumacılar group, two suicide bombers
- Previous deadliest attack surpassed
- 2013 Reyhanlı bombings
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Amid escalating conflict between the Turkish Armed Forces and the PKK, several progressive unions and the HDP organised a 'Labour, Peace and Democracy' rally in Ankara. The rally drew large crowds calling for an end to the violence, making it a visible target. Suspected ISIL-affiliated individuals with links to the Dokumacılar group are believed to have planned the attack.
On 10 October 2015, two bombs were detonated outside Ankara Central railway station at 10:04 local time, targeting the crowd gathered for the peace rally. The blasts killed 109 civilians and injured around 500 others, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in Turkish history, surpassing the 2013 Reyhanlı bombings.
Three days of national mourning were declared and multiple political parties suspended their election campaigns ahead of the 1 November general election. One suicide bomber was identified as the younger brother of the Suruç bombing perpetrator, with both linked to ISIL. Social media was slowed nationwide in the aftermath, criticised as extrajudicial censorship by Human Rights Watch.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent