Istanbul, 1 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) — An explosion blamed on "terrorists" hit the centre of the Turkish capital Ankara on Sunday, apparently targeting official buildings.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on the platform X, formerly Twitter, that there had been a bomb attack at the entrance to the ministry building.

He said two "terrorists" were involved in the attack. One blew himself up, the other was "neutralized," he said.

Two police officers were lightly injured in a subsequent exchange of fire, he said.

The centre was widely cordoned off in the wake of the blast.

According to the broadcaster NTV, the explosion also occurred only a few hundred metres away from an entrance to parliament.

Parliament is scheduled to meet on Sunday for the first time since the summer recess.