At least 41 killed in suicide bomber explosions at airport in Istanbul, Turkey
Jun 28, 2016, 12:33 PM | Updated: Jun 29, 2016, 11:17 am
(Twitter Photo/@ruchankayrim)
(Twitter Photo/@ruchankayrim)
At least 41 people were killed and more than 220 were wounded Tuesday after three suicide bombers blew themselves up inside Atatürk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, an official said.
ISTANBUL LATEST:https://t.co/i5W0TeIDZy
-36 dead, 147 injured
-3 suicide bombers
-PM: All signs point to ISIS pic.twitter.com/CK81Ho1Ra5— ABC News (@ABC) June 29, 2016
The Associated Press had originally reported that 50 were killed, but walked that number back.
BREAKING: Senior Turkish official says nearly 50 people killed in attack at Istanbul's airport.
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 28, 2016
A senior Turkish government official has told The Associated Press all initial indications suggest the Islamic State group is behind the attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport.
The official said the attackers detonated the explosives at the entrance of the international terminal before entering the X-ray security check.
Turkish airports have security checks at both at the entrance of terminal buildings and before entry to departure gates.
At Ataturk Airport in Istanbul. There's just been some kind of explosion. Running. Possibly a bomb. #ataturk
— rkalnins (@rekalnins) June 28, 2016
Turkish media reported the sound of gunfire at the scene.
Just raced down a corridor with hundeds of people af #ataturk. People shouting about more gunshots. Ambulances lined up outside.
— rkalnins (@rekalnins) June 28, 2016
Social media posts showed a confused scene with heavily-armed security forces running into the airport.
VIDEO: Heavily armed security seen outside Ataturk airport in #Istanbul following two explosions – @HaberturkTVhttps://t.co/U7zGvbnZLR
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) June 28, 2016
A video, presumably filmed inside the airport, showed people cowering on the ground.
#BREAKING: 2 Explosions reported at Ataturk airport in #Istanbul followed by gunfire pic.twitter.com/17Z3Ar86zb
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) June 28, 2016
ABC News reported that all scheduled flights between the United States and Istanbul were suspended.
LATEST: All scheduled flights between US and Istanbul temporarily suspended following explosions at Atatürk Airport https://t.co/twPtBOkqPp
— ABC News (@ABC) June 28, 2016
Turkey has suffered several bombings in recent months linked to Kurdish or Islamic State group militants.
The bombings included two in Istanbul targeting tourists — which the authorities have blamed on the Islamic State group.
The attacks have increased in scale and frequency, scaring off tourists and hurting the economy, which relies heavily on tourism revenues.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
