The historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul was rocked by a terrorist attack that has killed and injured several people.
The bomb blast was reported to have been detonated near the Sultanahmet square which is home to two of the most iconic landmarks of the city – the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
At least 10 people have been killed and 15 seriously injured in the explosion believed to have been set off by a suicide bomber, Turkish officials say.
Arda Turan joined a number of footballers condemning the attack and extending his condolences to the victims.
Turan who was born in Istanbul in the nearby Bayrampaşa district took to Instagram to share an image of the silhouette of the Blue Mosque alongside the caption pray for Istanbul and Sultanahmet.
Several other players also posted similar messages on social media including Beşiktaş star Gökhan Töre, Switzerland international Eren Derdiyok and Bayer Leverkusen play-maker Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
Başımız sağ olsun. Bugünkü patlamada hayatını kaybedenlere Allah'tan rahmet ve yakınlarına sabır diliyorum. pic.twitter.com/nTzYGUjhdw
— Gökhan Töre ?? (@Gokhan_Tore7) January 12, 2016
#prayforistanbul #sultanahmet #prayforturkey pic.twitter.com/4H4IHy8slo
— Hakan Çalhanoğlu (@hakanc10) January 12, 2016
