EU condemns bomb attack in Istanbul

BRUSSELS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the bomb attack in Istanbul, Turkey as "hideous".

The bomb attack, which happened on Sunday "was clearly designed to kill as many people as possible," the Commission said in a statement.

The executive arm of the European Union "expresses its solidarity with the Turkish people in the fight against terrorism and sends its condolences to the families of the victims".

Javier Solana, EU foreign policy chief, also issued a statement condemning "the despicable bombing attack that took many innocent lives and injured dozens of people in Istanbul yesterday evening."

"I express my deepest condolences and my heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims and to the Turkish government," he said, wishing "a speedy recovery to those who were injured."

He voiced his hope that "the perpetrators of this heinous terrorist act will be swiftly brought to justice."

A powerful bomb attack that tore through a crowded Istanbul street, killing 17 people and injuring more than 150.

The outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was suspected by the Turkish government as the perpetrators.

The attack was the deadliest in Turkey since 2003 in the same city, where 63 people were killed in four suicide bombings.