A few minutes ago an explosion took place in Istanbul.

The explosion happened near a metro station Bairam Pasha, at 17.15 am local time.

Local media reported the explosion was strong. The relevant services are mobilized.

The investigation of the terrorist attack is underway. Officials said the bomb was homemade
An Istanbul police source told NBC News that evidence of a small hand-made bomb had been found outside the entrance of the metro station.

Initial reports said that least one person was killed in the incident, and the explosion was first believed to have been from a power transformer, Turkey"s Haberturk reported.

A municipal official told Reuters that train operations had been suspended at the Bayrampasa metro station after a loud noise was heard. The Associated Press reported that subway services throughout Istanbul had been halted on the entire network.