Explosion in central Istanbul VIDEO/UPDATE

21:58

Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan has confirmed that six people have died and 81 others are injured following the explosion on Istanbul's central street, Anadolu agency reported. 

Addressing a press conference in Istanbul before leaving for Indonesia to attend the 17th G20 summit, he said that based on initial information from the city's governor, the explosion could be a suspected act of terrorism.

Initial observations also show that a woman played a role in the blast, he said, adding that all perpetrators will be identified.

18:13

An explosion occurred on one of Istanbul's busiest pedestrian streets, Istiklal street, near the central square of Taksim.

As the Hurriyet reported, a large number of medical and police teams were dispatched to the area.

The publication cites CNN Turk as reporting on live broadcast that so far 11 people have been reported injured.

Istanbul's Governor, Ali Yerlikaya confirmed this by giving a statement, saying "We have casualties and wounded".

It is yet unknown what caused the explosion.