Turkey mourns victims of deadly blasts outside Istanbul stadium

The scene of the explosion in Istanbul. Credit: Reuters/Murad Sezer

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan has said his government will continue its battle against terrorism "until the end", after 38 people were killed in twin blasts outside a football stadium in Istanbul.

Turkey has declared a national day of mourning after the blasts that claimed the lives of 30 police officers. At least 155 people were also injured.

Kurdish militant group TAK have claimed responsibility.

The explosions happened just two hours after a match had ended in an attack thought to have been targeted at police and security forces.

Speaking after visiting some of the injured in hospital, Erdogan said: "What we must focus on is this terror burden. Our people should have no doubt we will continue our battle against terror until the end."

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan (centre) attended the ceremony for killed police officers. Credit: Reuters

A suspected suicide bomber struck in Macka park, next to the city's Vodafone Arena, home to Besiktas football team, while the second explosion hit directly outside the stadium.

The moment Besiktas' stadium rocked by blast captured on club TV

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu described the blasts as a "cruel plot" and said it appeared to have been an attack on a police bus.

He said that 14 of those injured were in intensive care and some had undergone surgery.

Soylu also confirmed a total of 13 people have been detained in connection with the attack.

Emergency services at the scene. Credit: Reuters/Murad Sezer

One eyewitness described the scene as being "like hell".

"The flames went all the way up to the sky. I was drinking tea at the cafe next to the mosque," said Omer Yilmaz.

"People ducked under the tables, women began crying. Football fans drinking tea at the cafe sought shelter, it was horrible."

Emergency services at the scene of the blast. Credit: Reuters/Murad Sezer

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus has suggested "arrows point to the PKK", in reference to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Twitter that he condemned the attack and said that the UK is "committed to working with Turkey to tackle terrorism".