Istanbul:
Russia’s ambassador to Ankara Andrey Karlov was mortally injured in a gun attack while visiting an art exhibition opening in the Turkish capital on Monday, television reports said.
The local news organisation RIA confirmed his demise at around 10:48 pm (IST), "Russian ambassador to Turkey dies of gunshot wounds," reports said.Â
Karlov was shot earlier in the evening and was hospitalised along with several other people who were wounded in the attack by an unknown gunman, NTV and CNN-Turk televisions said.
Here are the live updates:Â
#Turkey: Video footage of the moments of the assassination attempt on the Russian ambassador in #Ankara. pic.twitter.com/hy4rUvONfB
— Mikhail D. (@Eire_QC) December 19, 2016
10:48 pm (IST):Â US State Department condemns killing of Russian Ambassador to Turkey
Â
Russian agency says ambassador in Turkey has died of his wounds after being shot: https://t.co/GmktzgyLTS pic.twitter.com/sTRVXGV3WT
— Reuters India (@ReutersIndia) December 19, 2016
The attack came after days of protests in Turkey over Russia’s role in Syria, although Moscow and Ankara are now working closely together to evacuate citizens from Aleppo.
Pictures published by the Hurriyet daily showed at least two men in suits lying flat on the ground as another man brandished a gun.
The attack happened at the Cagdas Sanatlar Merkezi, a major art exhibition hall in the Cankaya district of Ankara where most foreign embassies are located including Russia’s mission.
CNN-Turk said the ambassador was in a serious condition.
Protesters in Turkey have held Moscow responsible for human rights violations in Aleppo.
