Istanbul Ataturk Airport Attack: At Least 36 Dead and Dozens Injured

Istanbul, 23 Rmadan 1437/29 June 2016 (MINA) – A gun and bomb attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk international airport has killed 36 people and injured more than 140, officials say.

Three attackers opened fire near an entry point to the terminal and blew themselves up after police fired at them, officials say.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said early signs suggested the so-called Islamic State was behind the attack.

Recent bombings have been linked to either IS or Kurdish separatists.

Tuesday’s attack looked like a major co-ordinated assault, says the BBC’s Mark Lowen

Ataturk airport was long seen as a vulnerable target, our Turkey correspondent adds, reporting from a plane stuck on the tarmac in Istanbul

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There are X-ray scanners at the entrance to the terminal but security checks for cars are limited.

Words of sympathy from world leaders

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against militant groups.

“The bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world,” he said.

The US called the attack “heinous”, and said saying America remained “steadfast in our support for Turkey”.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: “We grieve for the victims. We stand by Turkey”.

Speaking several hours after Tuesday’s attack, Mr Yildirim said at least 36 people were killed and many wounded, some seriously.

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He also said foreigners were likely to be among the dead.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag put the number of injured at 147

Footage has emerged on social media that appears to show a police officer shooting one of the attackers, who detonates a suicide belt as he is lying injured on the ground.

Flights in and out of the airport were suspended after the attack.

The US Federal Aviation Administration grounded all flights between the US and Istanbul.

Taxis were used to rush casualties to hospital after the attack. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)