This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8032970.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Many die in Turkey wedding attack Many die in Turkey wedding attack
(10 minutes later)
Masked attackers have raided a wedding party in south-eastern Turkey, killing 44 people, among them six children.Masked attackers have raided a wedding party in south-eastern Turkey, killing 44 people, among them six children.
Sixteen women also died when attackers wielding automatic rifles and grenades burst into a celebration in Bilge Koyu, in Mardin province, officials said.Sixteen women also died when attackers wielding automatic rifles and grenades burst into a celebration in Bilge Koyu, in Mardin province, officials said.
Turkey has fought Kurdish separatists in the area for 25 years, but this attack is thought to be unrelated. Turkey has fought Kurdish separatists in the area for 25 years, but this attack has been linked to a local "blood feud" and a pro-Turkish militia.
Turkey's interior minister blamed the violence on a local "blood feud", and said eight people had been arrested. Eight people were arrested with weapons overnight, the interior minister said.
Besir Atalay said investigators had spent the night speaking to eyewitnesses in an effort to identify those responsible.Besir Atalay said investigators had spent the night speaking to eyewitnesses in an effort to identify those responsible.
The identities of those arrested have not yet been announced, but they were reported to have been stopped while carrying weapons. The identities of those arrested have not yet been announced.
According to what my relatives told me unknown gunmen opened fire from the door and from the window. I've seen lots of bodies, their faces are unrecognisable Tarik Kalkan Local residentAccording to what my relatives told me unknown gunmen opened fire from the door and from the window. I've seen lots of bodies, their faces are unrecognisable Tarik Kalkan Local resident
"Eight people have been caught and detained, and their weapons confiscated. This can be understood as a blood feud between two families," Mr Atalay said."Eight people have been caught and detained, and their weapons confiscated. This can be understood as a blood feud between two families," Mr Atalay said.
Local media say there had been a feud between families in the village in recent years.Local media say there had been a feud between families in the village in recent years.
Other unconfirmed reports said the assailants included members of a militia known as the Village Guards, who help government troops to fight Kurdish rebels.Other unconfirmed reports said the assailants included members of a militia known as the Village Guards, who help government troops to fight Kurdish rebels.
The Village Guards - who have access to weapons - were set up in 1984 and have long been accused of involvement in illegal activities, says the BBC's David O'Byrne, in Istanbul. The Village Guards were set up in 1984 and have long been accused of involvement in illegal activities, says the BBC's David O'Byrne, in Istanbul.
If the group's complicity in these killings is proved, it is likely to reinforce calls for it to be disbanded, our correspondent adds.If the group's complicity in these killings is proved, it is likely to reinforce calls for it to be disbanded, our correspondent adds.
Horrifying sceneHorrifying scene
The attack took place at wedding celebration in the village of Bilge Koyu, about 20km (12 miles) from the city of Mardin. One report said there were some 200 guests at the wedding.The attack took place at wedding celebration in the village of Bilge Koyu, about 20km (12 miles) from the city of Mardin. One report said there were some 200 guests at the wedding.
One relative who took the body of his nephew to a hospital said the site of the attack was horrifying.One relative who took the body of his nephew to a hospital said the site of the attack was horrifying.
"You could not believe your eyes," Ahmet Can told Channel 24."You could not believe your eyes," Ahmet Can told Channel 24.
Ferhat Ozen, deputy governor of Mardin province, said the assailants stormed into a house where wedding guests had been assembled, firing automatic rifles and throwing hand grenades.Ferhat Ozen, deputy governor of Mardin province, said the assailants stormed into a house where wedding guests had been assembled, firing automatic rifles and throwing hand grenades.
Paramilitary police were sent to the village to pursue the attackers, he said.Paramilitary police were sent to the village to pursue the attackers, he said.
Another man whose relatives were caught up in the attack accused the gunmen of using explosives.Another man whose relatives were caught up in the attack accused the gunmen of using explosives.
"The shooting started right after they took their position to perform prayers," Tarik Kalkan said."The shooting started right after they took their position to perform prayers," Tarik Kalkan said.
"I've seen lots of bodies, their faces are unrecognisable. It's obvious that some explosives were also used.""I've seen lots of bodies, their faces are unrecognisable. It's obvious that some explosives were also used."
Mr Atalay, the interior minister, was quick to play down suggestions of a Kurdish terror strike.Mr Atalay, the interior minister, was quick to play down suggestions of a Kurdish terror strike.
"Based on the investigations so far, we have reached the opinion that it was not a terror event, but the prosecution is still investigating," the interior minister said."Based on the investigations so far, we have reached the opinion that it was not a terror event, but the prosecution is still investigating," the interior minister said.
Although the interior minister did not mention the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) by name, analysts say his comments suggest the government is ruling out an attack by Kurdish militants.Although the interior minister did not mention the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) by name, analysts say his comments suggest the government is ruling out an attack by Kurdish militants.
Rebels have been battling for more autonomy since 1984 in the south of Turkey - an insurgency which has claimed more than 40,000 lives.Rebels have been battling for more autonomy since 1984 in the south of Turkey - an insurgency which has claimed more than 40,000 lives.
The violence means many people carry guns - and our correspondent says tribal and family loyalties in the region run deep.The violence means many people carry guns - and our correspondent says tribal and family loyalties in the region run deep.
Are you in the area where the attack occurred? What do you think the motive for it is? Are you elsewhere in Turkey and what are your thoughts about the story?Are you in the area where the attack occurred? What do you think the motive for it is? Are you elsewhere in Turkey and what are your thoughts about the story?
Please send us your comments using the form below.Please send us your comments using the form below.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions