57 sheep found in minibus suspected of carrying bombs in Turkey's south

Some 57 sheep were seized in a minibus after gendarmerie in the southern province of Mersin suspected it was carrying bombs on Dec. 27, Doğan News Agency has reported.

The gendarmerie, which had earlier tightened province-wide measures against possible terrorist attacks in the region, suspected an overloaded white minibus that had rubber pieces dangling from its boot. 

Despite the gendarmerie's initial warnings to stop, the heavy vehicle carried on driving. 

After an intense car chase between the gendarmerie and the driver of the vehicle, the minibus was later stopped by another gendarmerie team that barricaded its way.

The gendarmerie detained three suspects and seized 57 sheep on the minibus. The three suspects were later arrested by court after their testimonies. 

The sheep were earlier reported as stolen and were given back to their owner Garip Kılıç, a 45-year-old breeder.

Two sheep on the minibus were killed due to oxygen deficiency.