TURKEY: Latest Car Bomb Attack Near Kizilay Fuels More Tourist Fears For Turkey

In another blow to Turkey's tourism industry--several cruise operators have recently scrapped Turkish ports from their summer Mediterranean season--there was more death and destruction in the country today March 13 when a car bomber struck and wounded several just outside Ankara. Not only is the country losing some cruise industry business but many travelers have canceled plans to travel there after the US State Department issued a warning on Feb. 29, 2016 about travel to the southeastern area of the country that Americans should use caution if traveling there. "Recent attacks have targeted popular tourist sites and government buildings," said the alert.

In another blow to Turkey's tourism industry--several cruise operators have recently scrapped Turkish ports from their summer Mediterranean season--there was more death and destruction in the country today March 13 when a car bomber struck and wounded several just outside Ankara. Not only is the country losing some cruise industry business but many travelers have canceled plans to travel there after the US State Department issued a warning on Feb. 29, 2016 about travel to the southeastern area of the country that Americans should use caution if traveling there. "Recent attacks have targeted popular tourist sites and government buildings," said the alert.

Today's Ankara massacre, was the result of another car bombing in the heart of its capital just weeks after an attack on a military convoy killed 29, raising fears that violence in the country's south east will lead to further chaos. The Turkey blast, which was ignited by a car bomb, took place at 6:45 p.m Turkish time in Kizilay which is near Guven Park in the city center according to Turkish broadcaster TRT, leaving 32 people killed and 75 wounded. The Ankara governor confirmed it was a car "packed with explosives close to Kizilay square." Videos of the carnage show burned vehicles and ambulances rushing to the scene.

There was also footage online of the moment of the attack with people running away and sparks flying. So far no group has taken responsibility for the holocaust although sources suggest it was theKurdish militant group, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). As of this moment a court in Ankara has ordered a ban on access to Facebook and Twitter in the country after images from the attack were widely shared, local media reported. Turkey has suffered several deadly bombings since the capital was seized late last year during which 103 people were killed after a twin suicide bombing by Isil-linked terrorists.

Fueling the flame of tourist fears was last month's attack which killed dozens of military personnel and was initially blamed by Turkish authorities on Syrian Kurdish militants linked to homegrown Kurdish guerrilla fighters. The city suffered another attack last month when 29 people were killed after a car bomb blamed on Kurdish militants. The majority of those killed during the recent attack were military personnel after their convoy was hit by the blast. The Telegram reported that US embassy warned its citizens that there was information about a "potential terrorist plot to attack Turkish government buildings and housing located in the Bahcelievler area of Ankara". Americans were advised to avoid the area.