2005 Kusadasi bus bombing
Encyclopedia
Kuşadası minibus bombing occurred on July 16, 2005, when a minibus carrying locals and tourists to the town's famous "Ladies Beach" exploded in Kuşadası
, Turkey
. Five people, four women and one man, were killed in the blast.
The Kurdish rebel group PKK was initially suspected of carrying out the bombing but they denied being involved in the attack. A suspect was arrested in İstanbul
on 8 April 2006.
, and two tourists: Helen Bennett (23), of County Durham
, England
and Tara Whelan (17), of Waterford
, Ireland
. A total of fourteen people were injured, eight Turks and six British tourists. Seven people, including all but one of the British citizens, had their conditions judged serious enough to be transported to Ege University
hospital in İzmir.
Deniz Tutum's funeral in Kuşadası was transformed into a mass gathering of which moving accounts were made. Tara Whelan's funeral in her hometown as well as the aftermath for all concerned was covered with emphasis by the national media in Ireland. A commemoration service was held for Helen Bennett, along with other British bombing victims of 2005, in Southwark Cathedral
.
The cases of Helen Bennett and of members of her family, several of whom were wounded in the same attack, were cited as examples during the process that led to the establishment in the United Kingdom in 2007 of a statutory fund through the Red Cross for overseas victims of terrorism; a previously existing scheme managed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
making criminal injuries payments for UK attacks only.
Kusadasi
Kuşadası is a resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast and the center of the seaside district of the same name in Aydın Province. Kuşadası lies at a distance of to the south from the region's largest metropolitan center of İzmir, and from the provincial seat of Aydın situated inland. Its primary...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. Five people, four women and one man, were killed in the blast.
The Kurdish rebel group PKK was initially suspected of carrying out the bombing but they denied being involved in the attack. A suspect was arrested in İstanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
on 8 April 2006.
Victims
Casualties included three Turkish nationals: Deniz Tutum (21), a native of Kuşadası on her way to work, Eda Okyay and Ufuk Yücedeniz, both 23 and fiancées on a weekend excursion from İzmirIzmir
Izmir is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.35 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey...
, and two tourists: Helen Bennett (23), of County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Tara Whelan (17), of Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. A total of fourteen people were injured, eight Turks and six British tourists. Seven people, including all but one of the British citizens, had their conditions judged serious enough to be transported to Ege University
Ege University
Ege University is a public university in İzmir, Turkey. It was founded in 1955 with the Faculties of Medicine and Faculty of Agriculture...
hospital in İzmir.
Deniz Tutum's funeral in Kuşadası was transformed into a mass gathering of which moving accounts were made. Tara Whelan's funeral in her hometown as well as the aftermath for all concerned was covered with emphasis by the national media in Ireland. A commemoration service was held for Helen Bennett, along with other British bombing victims of 2005, in Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral or The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, Southwark, London, lies on the south bank of the River Thames close to London Bridge....
.
The cases of Helen Bennett and of members of her family, several of whom were wounded in the same attack, were cited as examples during the process that led to the establishment in the United Kingdom in 2007 of a statutory fund through the Red Cross for overseas victims of terrorism; a previously existing scheme managed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom. The Authority administers a compensation scheme for injuries caused to victims of violent crime in Great Britain and is funded by the Ministry of Justice in England and Wales and the devolved...
making criminal injuries payments for UK attacks only.