VIDEO: Powerful Explosion Rocks Istanbul; Casualties Reported

A powerful explosion has occurred in the Şirinivler neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. Local media outlets report that emergency response teams have been dispatched to assist the victims of the blast, which is attributed to natural gas leaks.

Hakan Bahadır, the mayor of Bahçelievler, has confirmed that one person has died as a result of the explosion, and four others have been hospitalized.

No further details have been released at this time.