ISTANBUL, June 22 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Turkish football fans exploded in riotous celebrations, in some cases involving gunfire and dangerous driving which caused a number of casualties, as they poured into the streets to celebrate their team's victory in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.

The celebrations were apparently the cause of the deaths of four people and injuries to three others in a road accident in the town of Izmit, near Istanbul, the CNN-Turk channel reported.

A fifth person, overcome with emotion, died of a heart attack in a separate incident, and a total of 18 people were reported to have received bullet wounds around the country as fans fired in the air to celebrate, Agence France-Presse (AFP) said.

"It's simply wonderful!" screamed one fan, a 40-year-old taxi driver named Omer who had stopped his cab in the middle of a busy Istanbul street to listen to the match on the radio.

"We're in the semi-finals!" he shouted, still apparently finding it hard to believe the good news.

Turkey beat Senegal 1-0 after scoring a golden goal. They now go on to play Brazil in Saitama, Japan, on Wednesday for a place in the World Cup final on their first appearance in the tournament for 48 years.

Hundreds of Turks had poured into the street in Ankara where they were treated to a small fireworks display before heading towards the capital's central Taksim square, where the team's previous World Cup wins were celebrated, AFP said.

Picked out for special praise among the cheering crowds was Ilhan Mansiz, whose golden goal in extra-time saw off the African hopefuls.

"They played very well and it was good they played Malhiz instead of [star striker] Hakan Suker," a 32 year-old woman giving her name as Zeynep said in the capital.

Fans were even prepared to forgive team coach Senol Gunes, the brunt of widespread criticism in earlier games in the tournament, AFP reported.

"They should never have criticized Gunes," a man named Osman said.

Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli congratulated the national team, saying "this is the best symbol of the success of unity and union -- which shows that the country will reach all its goals during the 21st century."

Turks living outside the country also went wild with joy, and thousands of Turkish Cypriots on the divided island of Cyprus gathered in city squares and sang "Turkey is the greatest".

In northern Europe too, home to significant populations of Turkish immigrants, fans celebrated their teams' victory. In Brussels, thousands stopped traffic as they descended on the normally quiet neighborhood, which is home to a number of EU institutions.

Similar displays of joys were also seen in other European centers, with notable turnouts in Stockholm and the eastern French city of Strasbourg.

Meanwhile, Senegal's Lions were hailed as heroes across Africa despite their defeat to Turkey which shattered their dreams of becoming the continent's first team to make it into the World Cup semi-finals, AFP said.

"I am very proud of the Lions who bear the name of Senegal... they have honored Africa," said President Abdoulaye Wade, calling for his countrymen to hold national celebrations when the team return home from Japan.

Senegal was the first African team in 12 years to reach the last eight. "I consider that to be a victory," Wade said.

Across the continent, the reaction was one of disappointment mixed with pride.

"It's tough, but it's not the end of the world," said security guard Babacar Gueye.