One killed as rocket projectile from Syria hits schoolyard in border town

One person was killed and a student was injured as a rocket projectile originating from Syria hit a schoolyard in the southeastern Turkish province of Kilis, the office of the governor announced in a written statement.
 
The blast reportedly took place at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 18 near the Nazl? Ömer Çetin primary school in the center of Kilis, where four schools are located. 

While the exact cause of the explosion was not initially know, the governor's office announced one of three rocket projectiles fired from across the nearby Syrian border dropped in the school's courtyard. 

"A woman from the school's cleaning staff lost her life in the explosion while a seventh grade student at the neighboring school was hospitalized at Kilis State Hospital," the statement said, adding the student is currently in surgery.

Two other rocket projectiles hit empty spaces and inflicted no harm on life or property, the governor's office added.

The area where the schools are situated is reportedly 8 kilometers from Turkey's border with Syria, where an intensification of clashes has been reported over the past three days.

Military sources indicate that the rocket projectors were fired from the ranks of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria. The Turkish Armed Forces responded to the attack, sources stated. 

Other schools in the province are reportedly being evacuated upon the order of the provincial governor. 

Speaking to private broadcaster NTV, Kilis Mayor Hasan Kara urged Kilis' residents to remain calm. 

"Our people should remain calm. They shouldn't allow any provocation," he said.

In Photos: Turkish PM, German interior minister lay red carnations at Istanbul...