Man Opens Fire on Ukrainian Consul in Istanbul

A man has been shot and wounded after opening fire at the Ukrainian consulate in Istanbul in Turkey, reports BBC News.

The man claimed to be carrying a bomb and pulled out a gun and started firing, Istanbul's Governor Muammer Guler said.

"We don't think it is a bomb, but the police are checking it, and will probably blow it up, just in case," Guler said.

He said the motive appeared personal rather than political.

The 29-year-old man had a Ukrainian wife, who is currently in her home country, the governor added.

The assailant was shot and wounded and taken to hospital, but was reported not to be in a life-threatening condition.

No one else was injured in the incident, which took place at the entrance to the consulate in Florya, a district on Istanbul's European side.