Turkey wedding blast turns paradise into hell with death toll hitting 50

Women mourn as they wait in front of a hospital morgue in the Turkish city of Gaziantep, after a suspected bomber targeted a wedding celebration in the city, Turkey, August 21, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

ANKARA - At least 50 people were killed and 94 wounded when a blast hit an outdoor wedding celebration in the southern Turkish province of Gaziantep on Saturday night, the Gaziantep Governor's office stated.

Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag said there were 73 people undergoing treatment from the attack, including 17 in critical condition during a press brief in Gaziantep/

Condemning the attack in a statement, President Tayyip Erdogan said the attack was likely carried out by Islamic States (IS) terrorists.

He underscored that there is no difference between the Gulenist terror-cult (FETO),Kurdish Workers' Party ( PKK) terrorist organization and IS.

"Our country and nation only have a single message to those who attack us -- you will not succeed!" he added.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also condemned the attack, and said that Turkey will continue to combat all types of terrorism with determination.

Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said that the explosion may have been caused by a suicide attack, adding that the death toll might be higher than reported.

Local media reported that the blast occurred at 22:40 local time (1940 GMT) in a mainly Kurdish-inhabited neighborhood of the city, while local reporters and officials said that the family hosting the wedding is from eastern Turkey.