Gunfight Outside U.S. Consulate in Istanbul

(Istanbul, Turkey) Six dead resulted, however, no Americans, in what appears to have been a rather purposeless attack.

Three police officers and three unidentified gunmen were killed in a firefight Wednesday morning outside the main gate of the US Consulate in Istanbul, the private NTV television station reported.

Witnesses told NTV that a white car slowed down and stopped outside the main gate of the consulate in the suburb of Istinye. Three of the passengers got out of the car and fired at police, starting a firefight that lasted between seven and eight minutes.

Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler told reporters at the scene that three attackers and one police officer were declared dead and that two police officers were later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The driver of the white car sped off. Authorities are investigating. Thus far, no group is claiming responsibility.