Blasts in Reyhanli town of southern province of Hatay

Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler said number of people killed in Reyhanli blasts on Saturday rises to 18. The blasts took place in Turkey's Reyhanli town of the southern province of Hatay. Individuals who were wounded in Saturday's blasts in Reyhanli town of the southern province of Hatay are being taken to hospitals in Reyhanli and Hatay. Search and rescue operations underway in Reyhanli at the site of the blasts Search and rescue operations are underway in the southern town of Reyhanli to save individuals who may be under rubble following two separate blasts earlier in the day. At least eight motor vehicles and a large number of buildings have been destroyed as a result of the blasts. Wounded residents of Reyhanli town have been taken to hospitals in Reyhanli, Kirikhan and surrounding towns. Security experts are investigating the cause of the blasts. A large number of medical personnel and police officers have been dispatched to the site of the Reyhanli blasts. Wounded individuals are being taken to hospitals in ambulances. Reyhanli Municipality building, many other buildings and motor vehicles have been damaged due to the blasts. Tight security measures have been taken in the region. 15 ambulances reach site of blasts, said Turkish health minister Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu  said that at least 15 ambulances reached the site of the blasts in Reyhanli town of the southern province of Hatay. Speaking to reporters in Mardin province, Muezzinoglu said that an ambulance helicopter and two ambulance planes were getting prepared to be dispatched to Reyhanli. Muammer Guler learned about the blasts during a visit to the south-eastern province of Mardin and while he was at lunch with Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu and journalists. Speaking to reporters in Mardin, Guler said that two blasts took place in front of the Reyhanli Municipality building at 13.55 hours. The blasts took place in two separate cars, Guler said. "Our (Hatay) Governor is on his way to the site of the blasts. Security forces have been dispatched to the site of the blasts," Guler underlined. "I am making preparations to visit the site of the blasts in the shortest time possible. An investigation into the blasts is underway," Guler also said.