One policeman killed in Istanbul suicide bombing

(Vatican Radio) A suicide bomber blew herself up at a police station in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet district on Tuesday, killing one officer and wounding another.

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Officials say a woman walked into the police station, and after saying in English that she had lost her purse, then blew herself. Police sealed off the area where the attack happened, which is right by the Aya Sofya museum and the Blue Mosque, two of the main tourist sites in the city.

The Turkish Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, said a full investigation of the attack is underway.

“Police forces and intelligence services are investigating whether there is a link to any group," Davutoglu said.

"The most comprehensive investigation will be carried out regarding the attack that was carried out in the heart of Istanbul and when the links to an organisation are found, further steps will be taken," he continued.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, and Turkey faces threats from a number of fronts. The bombing comes less than a week after a leftist group said it was behind a grenade attack on police near the prime minister's office in Istanbul. Turkey has also suffered terrorist attacks from Islamist militants, as well as Kurdish rebels.