Ankara: Eight-six people were killed in twin bomb blasts in the Turkish capital Ankara on Saturday, while another 186 people were wounded including 28 who are in intensive care, Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu told a news conference.

Asked about security measures at the rally where the attacks took place, Interior Minister Selami Altinok told the same news conference there were no security shortcomings.

The two explosions occurred outside the main train station in the Turkish capital Ankara on Saturday, the Turkish Interior Ministry said.

The area was to have hosted an anti-government peace rally organised by leftist groups later in the day, including the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).

The blast occurred ahead of a planned ‘peace’ march to protest against the conflict between the state and Kurdish militants in southeast Turkey. Earlier media reports had said there were two explosions.

Dogan news agency video footage showed those involved in the march tending to wounded individuals lying on the ground while hundreds of people wandered around the streets.

The cause of the blast was not immediately clear but a government official told Reuters it was being investigated.

The explosion occurred at a time of growing security concerns in Turkey, and three weeks ahead of a parliamentary election.