Turkish police say a bomb hidden in a trash can exploded near a bus station in Istanbul Thursday, injuring at least four people.
The bomb was described as a small explosive device, but the blast hurled pieces of the metal trash can up to 15 meters away. The explosion happened in the Eminonu district of European Istanbul, a busy commercial area that also is close to major tourist attractions in the ancient city.
Turkish authorities say they have received no claim of responsibility for the explosion, but police have said unofficially they suspect the bomb was planted by Kurdish militants.
Istanbul has been hit by a series of bombings in recent months. The bombings come amid increasing violence in southeastern Turkey, a center of activity by separatist Kurdish groups.