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 8 Version 9
Many die in Turkey wedding attack Many die in Turkey wedding attack
(40 minutes later)
At least 44 people have been killed in an attack on a wedding party in south-eastern Turkey, officials say. At least 45 people have been killed in an attack on a wedding party in south-eastern Turkey, officials say.
Mask-wearing assailants opened fire with automatic rifles and grenades, officials in Mardin province said.Mask-wearing assailants opened fire with automatic rifles and grenades, officials in Mardin province said.
Local media reported wedding guests included members of a militia who help troops to fight Kurdish rebels - though officials did not confirm the claims. The area, near the border with Syria, has been plagued by fighting between Kurdish separatists and government troops for 25 years.
Other reports suggested that the deaths were a result of a fight between families of the bride and groom. But Turkey's Interior Minister Besir Atalay said the attack did not appear to be a "terror event".
Local media have suggested the violence might have been the result of a blood feud or an argument between guests.
Other unconfirmed reports said the wedding guests included members of a militia who help troops to fight Kurdish rebels.
Horrifying scene
The BBC's David O'Byrne in Istanbul says six children appear to be among those killed in the attack, in the village of Bilge Koyu about 20km (12 miles) from the city of Mardin.The BBC's David O'Byrne in Istanbul says six children appear to be among those killed in the attack, in the village of Bilge Koyu about 20km (12 miles) from the city of Mardin.
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.
Officials have said the attack was not terrorism-related, which our correspondent says would appear to rule out an attack by rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Mr Atalay said 45 people had been killed in the attack and six were wounded.
Kurdish rebels have been battling for more autonomy since 1984 in the south of Turkey - an insurgency which has claimed more than 40,000 lives. "Based on the investigations so far, we have reached the opinion that it was not a terror event, but the prosecution is still investigating," he said.
Our correspondent says the region is also one where tribal and family loyalties also run deep. Although he 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.
The violence means many people carry guns - and our correspondent says tribal and family loyalties in the region run deep.