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Death toll rises in Turkish bombings

Last Updated: Sunday, November 16, 2003 | 5:01 PM ET

The death toll in twin bombings of synagogues in Turkey rose Sunday as Israeli and Turkish investigators searching the wreckage found three more bodies.

Twenty-three people were killed and more than 300 injured when explosives-packed cars blew up outside two synagogues in Istanbul during Saturday morning prayers.

Turkish television channel NTV said three people are being questioned in connection with the attacks on the Neve Shalom and Beth Israel synagogues.




Most of the victims were Muslims passing through the areas. Six Jews were killed and about 80 injured.

Turkey's prime minister visits one of the blast sites
Turkey's prime minister visits one of the blast sites

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom travelled to Istanbul in a show of support for the country's 25,000 Jews. Most of Turkey's 68 million people are Muslim.

Shalom expressed his condolences to the families of the Muslim victims. He laid a wreath near one of the blast sites, and visited Turkey's chief rabbi, Isak Haleva, who was slightly injured in one of the bombings.

"Terrorism targets people everywhere and must be fought," Shalom said.

Turkish security officials say they don't believe the blasts were the work of a Turkish militant Islamic group, but say they could be linked to al-Qaeda.

"The incident has moved beyond the national dimension, I believe, to the international," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey is a member of NATO and ally to the United States and Israel.

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