Seven killed in Turkey blast

A group of seven people, the majority being security personnel, were killed in a large explosion that hit the city of Tunceli in Turkey.

The blast targeted a vehicle carrying security personnel.

Tunceli is situated near the country's Kurdish area. News media report that suspicion will thus automatically fall upon the Kurdish rebel group, PKK - the Kurdistan Workers' Party.

Fighting between Turkish troops and the rebels has increased over the past months.

Local TV stations aired pictures of workers trying to put out fires in two burnt-out vehicles.

Reports said a vehicle carrying explosives was remotely detonated as an armoured vehicle carrying security forces passed by, sending a huge plume of dark smoke over the city.

Some reports said a civilian vehicle was also damaged in the explosion.