Explosion at Turkish-Syrian border gate kills 13, injures dozens

At least 13 people, including three Turkish citizens, were killed and at least 27 were injured in a blast at the Turkish-Syrian border gate of Cilvegozu in the southern province of Hatay's Reyhanli district on Monday in what appeared to be a car bomb attack.  Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, Customs and Trade Minister Hayati Yazici and Interior Minister Muammer Guler surveyed the blast scene at the Cilvegozu border gate, and they were informed by officials about the incident. President Abdullah Gul was also briefed by Governor of Hatay Celalettin Lekesiz. Touching on the explosion, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was attending a weekly Cabinet meeting when the incident took place, said that incident was of critical importance for showing how Turkey is right regarding its sensitivity about terrorism and the ongoing conflict in Syria, as well as Ankara's efforts. Erdogan added that Turkey would make no concession to its stance and will maintain its determination about those two issues. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc told reporters after a regular cabinet meeting that the government was investigating all possible causes for the blast, including a suicide attack, but it wa wrong to jump to hasty conclusions. "The information that we have for now is that a minibus with Syrian number plates coming from the other side exploded. It was a powerful explosion," Arinc added.