A bomb, which officials said would have caused a catastrophic blast, was found Tuesday in a van in a parking garage in Ankara by Turkish police.

The city's governor, Kemal Onal told reporters it was found in the multilevel garage because security had been stepped up ahead of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, aircraft attacks on the United States.

"The meticulous work of the police averted a possible catastrophe," said Onal. "I do not even want to think about what would have happened if the attack had succeeded."

The Anatolia news agency said sniffer dogs identified the van's contents and homes and businesses in the densely populated downtown area were evacuated.

In 2003, more than 50 people were killed in Istanbul by bomb attacks on the British consulate, synagogues and bank, the BBC said. // Copyright 2007 by United Press International


Publication date: 11 September 2007   

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