The death toll in a series of blasts that rocked the Turkish largest city of Istanbul Thursday rose to 27, and some 450 were injured, the Anatolia news agency reported.

Five explosions took place in Istanbul Thursday morning, which were targeted at British interests in the city.

One of the bombings occurred near the British Consulate General and another near the Turkish headquarters of the London-based HSBC bank.

Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said initial findings showed the explosions were launched with the same method as that used in the attacks against two synagogues in Istanbul on Saturday.

Cicek said two explosions occurred around 11:00 a.m. (0900 GMT), one of which was in front of the British Consulate General and the other in the Levent district.

The Turkish Interior Ministry, Istanbul Governor, State Security Court Prosecutor and all other security and intelligence organizations are carrying out investigations, Cicek said.

Local Star TV channel reported that a huge crater was seen in front of British Consulate General in Istanbul after the blast.

Rescue teams were searching for survivors and dead bodies under the rubble, the report said.

The entrance hall of the Consulate was demolished and window frames were smashed into debris.

The explosion caused major damage in workplaces around the Consulate building and windows of nearby shops and St. Antuan Church on Istiklal Street were also shattered.

Meanwhile, a police helicopter was flying over the city, the report said.

Istanbul's Gold Exchange was closed after the blasts and transactions have been suspended till a second announcement, the report said.

Straw condemns blast at UK consulate in Istanbul

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw Thursday strongly condemned the blast at the British consulate in Turkey's Istanbul.

The blast bears the hallmarks of an al Qaida terror attack, Straw told reporters. 

(Xinhua News Agency November 20)