AKIPRESS.COM - An explosion has hit the central Istanbul district of Vezneciler, wounding several people, local media reported.

The blast struck near a bus stop on Tuesday morning, with many ambulances seen in the area, Al Jazeera reports.

The explosion occurred during the morning rush hour, as a police vehicle was passing the area, according to broadcaster NTV.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but groups including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Kurdish separatists have carried out bombings in the past few years.