Istanbul attack as it happened: 38 killed, 147 injured by suspected IS suicide bombers

‘Nato allies stand in solidarity with Turkey’

Nato chief strongly condemned the “horrific attacks” at Istanbul’s airport, and said Turkey’s 27 allies in the US-led political and military organization stand with it, reported AP.

Jens Stoltenberg, Nato’s secretary-general, said in a statement: “My thoughts are with the families of the victims, those injured and the people of Turkey. “There can be no justification for terrorism,” Stoltenberg said. “Nato allies stand in solidarity with Turkey, united in our determination to fight terrorism in all its forms.”

No report of Indian casualty: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said that there were no reports of any Indian among the casualties in the attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport. “No report so far of any Indian among the casualties. Consulate has been in touch with Istanbul Governorate and the Turkish Health Ministry hotline desk,” an official statement said.

High alert at Hyderabad airport 

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is on high alert. Central Industrial Security Force and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed. 

Hyderabad: High Alert at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport; Central Industrial Security Force and Rapid Action Force personnel on alert

— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2016

Officials assess damage at Istanbul airport

Officials on Wednesday morning began assessing the damage caused at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport by three suicide bombers who killed dozens and wounded more than 140, reported AP. Workers were brought in to remove debris left by the blast, while in the daylight the damage to the terminal became clearer with even ceiling panels hit.The airport was partially reopened, with the information board inside the airport showing that about one third of scheduled flights have been canceled, with a host of others delayed.

We stand with our allies: Justin Trudeau 

Canandian Prime Minister strongly condemned the deadly attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport. “My thoughts are with the victims as we stand with our allies against terrorism,” he said on Twitter. 

Canada strongly condemns tonight’s deadly attack in Turkey. My thoughts are with the victims as we stand with our allies against terrorism.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 29, 2016

Ataturk Airport one of the busiest in the world

Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport was the 11th busiest airport in the world last year, with 61.8 million passengers, according to Airports Council International. It is also one of the fastest-growing airports in the world, seeing 9.2 percent more passengers last year than in 2014, reported AP. The largest carrier at the airport is Turkish Airlines, which operates a major hub there. Low-cost Turkish carrier Onur Air is the second-largest airline there.

Ataturk Airport one of the busiest in the world

Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport was the 11th busiest airport in the world last year, with 61.8 million passengers, according to Airports Council International. It is also one of the fastest-growing airports in the world, seeing 9.2 percent more passengers last year than in 2014, reported AP. The largest carrier at the airport is Turkish Airlines, which operates a major hub there. Low-cost Turkish carrier Onur Air is the second-largest airline there.

Istanbul attack a brutal reminder of Brussels attack

The devastation at Istanbul’s airport follows the March attack on Brussels Airport, where two suicide bombings ripped through check-in counters, killing 16 people. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for that attack, as well as a subsequent explosion at a Brussels subway station that killed 16 more people.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said on Twitter: “Our thoughts are with the victims of the attacks at Istanbul’s airport. We condemn these atrocious acts of violence.”

Our thoughts are with the victims of the attacks at Istanbul's airport. We condemn these atrocious acts of violence #Istanbul

— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) June 28, 2016

Suicide attacks in Turkey go up

Suicide attackers killed at least 38 people and wounded more than 140 at Istanbul’s busy Ataturk Airport. Turkish officials said the explosions were probably the work of Islamic State group militants. On 13 March, 2016, a Kurdish woman blew herself up in a car at a busy transport hub in Ankara, killing 37 people in an attack that was also claimed by TAK, also known as the Kurdish Freedom Falcons. Later, on 19 March, a suicide bombing rocked Istanbul’s main pedestrian street killing five people, including the bomber, whom authorities identified as a Turkish national linked to IS. 

Turkish Prime Minister calls for national unity

The Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim called for national unity and “global cooperation” and suggested that the attack was linked to what he said was Turkey’s success against Kurdish rebels, as well as steps Ankara took on Monday toward mending strained ties with Israel and Russia, according to AP.

“It is meaningful that this heinous attack came at a time when we have become successful in the fight against separatist terrorism … and at a time when we started a process of normalizing ties with our neighbors,” Yildirim said.

Govt to ensure safety of Indian airports: Civil Aviation Minister 

Government is committed to ensure the safety of Indian airports and skies, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju today said as he expressed shock over the deadly terror attack at Istanbul airport. “I am deeply shocked and agitated at the terror attack on Istanbul Airport. We stand with Turkey and its citizens in their loss & grief,” Raju said in a tweet. He emphasised that the government is committed to ensure safety of airports in the country.
   

I am deeply shocked and agitated at the terror attack on Istanbul Airport. We stand with Turkey and its citizens in their loss & grief.

— Ashok Gajapathi Raju (@Ashok_Gajapathi) June 29, 2016

Condemnable act of violence: Arun Jaitley

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley called the Istanbul blast “a highly condemnable act of violence.”  

Killing of people in the Istanbul airport blasts is a highly condemnable act of violence.My prayers are with injured & the bereaved families

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) June 29, 2016

Death toll may rise: Turkish official

A senior government official told The Associated Press the death toll could climb much higher. The senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol, at first said close to 50 people had already died, but later said that the figure was expected to rise to close to 50. Hundreds of frightened passengers streamed out of the airport, fleeing the latest of several bombings to strike Turkey in recent months. 

Ataturk airport resumes operation 

Operations resumed at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport after the deadly terror attack. Departures have also resumed. 

Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport now operational. #TK25 will be first passenger flight to land. https://t.co/CuilQCnJPn pic.twitter.com/cGH909b26X

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 29, 2016

Departures have now also resumed at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport. https://t.co/0TCt9XggHw pic.twitter.com/WhX0L3Odr6

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 29, 2016

White House condemns attack

The White House issued a statement condemning the suicide bombings in Istanbul and calling it “heinous terrorist attack.”  

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms today’s heinous terrorist attack" —@PressSec on Istanbul pic.twitter.com/lmjPOcyya9

— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) June 28, 2016

White House condemns attack

The White House issued a statement condemning the suicide bombings in Istanbul and calling it “heinous terrorist attack.”  

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms today’s heinous terrorist attack" —@PressSec on Istanbul pic.twitter.com/lmjPOcyya9

— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) June 28, 2016

A spate of bombings in Turkey

According to CNN’s Henri Barkey, Islamic State and Kurdish insurgents are the two likely suspect in the attack. Tourism in Turkey has taken a hit with repeated terror attacks. Turkey has suffered a spate of bombings this year, including two suicide attacks in tourist areas of Istanbul blamed on Islamic State, and two car bombings in the capital, Ankara, which were claimed by a Kurdish militant group.

Who is behind the terror attack at #Istanbul Ataturk Airport? One @CNNOpinion writer's take https://t.co/V8f5ly13BS pic.twitter.com/uSfmiC0jxD

— CNN (@CNN) June 29, 2016

Five police officers killed in the attack

According to Reuters, police fired shots to try to stop two of the attackers just before they reached a security checkpoint at the arrivals hall, but they detonated their explosives, a Turkish official said. The The vast majority of those killed were Turkish nationals but foreigners were also among the dead. Reports suggest that they were five police officers among the dead. 

Albanian Prime Minister’s plane landed at Istanbul at the time of attack

According to the private Dogan news agency, a plane carrying Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama was landing at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport when the attack occurred. He was arriving on an official visit. The prime minister and his entourage were safely taken to an official residence. The group was to travel later on Wednesday to Turkey’s capital, Ankara.

A scene of panic

Security camera footage widely circulated on social media appeared to capture two of the blasts, according to AFP. In one clip a huge ball of flame erupts at an entrance to the terminal building, scattering terrified passengers. Another video shows a black-clad attacker running inside the building before collapsing to the ground — apparently felled by a police bullet — and blowing himself up.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as the blasts hit, while images on social media showed passengers lying on the floor and luggage trolleys overturned.

Prayers for Istanbul

Prayers poured in for Istanbul on Twitter after the terror attack that killed 38 and wounded 147 at the Ataturk international airport.  

saddened by the devastating news in Istanbul. #ıstanbul #PrayForTurkey pic.twitter.com/8hCo5KuP0a

— Lelong.my (@LelongMy) June 29, 2016

Başın sağolsun güzel ülkem... Teröre lanet olsun... #Istanbul #TurkeyWillNotSurrender #Terörelanetolsun pic.twitter.com/Id9Z4h6Isw

— Fırat Sunel फिरात सुनेल فرات صونال (@firatsunel) June 29, 2016

Oh Istanbul, Oh Istanbul https://t.co/NdXRgALo9T pic.twitter.com/S5TgNgwD90

— Avocado (@arccanjel) June 29, 2016

Turkey has power to fight terrorism: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk airport, which took place during Ramzan, according to AP. He said the attack “shows that terrorism strikes with no regard to faith and values.”

He called on the international community to take a firm stand against terrorism and vowed to keep up Turkey’s struggle against terror groups. “Turkey has the power, determination and capacity to continue the fight against terrorism until the end,” he said.

Emergency numbers 

Ministry of External Affairs has tweeted out emergency numbers for Indians in Turkey. 

Terror attack at Istanbul Atatrk Airpt. Entry/Exit pts shut. Indians req assist, pls call +90-530-5671095/8258037/4123625/ #IndianEmbassyTR

— India in Istanbul (@CGI_Istanbul) June 28, 2016

You may also contact First Secretary, Embassy of India, Ankara at 05303142203 @CGI_Istanbul

— India in Türkiye (@IndianEmbassyTR) June 28, 2016

Flights resume from US to Istanbul airport 

A stoppage of flights to and from the United States and Istanbul Ataturk Airport lasted several hours but has been lifted, said a US official who spoke on background to discuss sensitive security issues, according to AP. The official said the stoppage was lifted in the middle of the evening. The official said 10 passenger flights were in the air, flying from Turkey to the US, at the time of the stoppage and they have all landed.

PM Modi condemns attack 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the attack in Istanbul inhuman and horrific and offered condolences to the bereaved families. “My thoughts are with bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly,” he said on Twitter.

Attack in Istanbul is inhuman & horrific. I condemn it strongly. My thoughts are with bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 29, 2016

Terror attacks in Turkey increased in recent months 

Turkey has suffered several bombings in recent months linked to Kurdish or Islamic State group militants. The attacks have increased in scale and frequency, scaring off tourists and hurting the economy, which relies heavily on tourism revenues.

The Istanbul blasts that killed 31 people were the latest in a string of attacks https://t.co/steisRWQMI pic.twitter.com/qt3Lb6SerX

— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) June 28, 2016

Istanbul attack strengthens our resolve to defeat terrorism: Clinton

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has said the terror attack in Turkey is a reminder that the US can’t retreat from this part of the world and needs to deepen co-operation with allies in the Middle East and Europe to take on this threat.

“Today’s attack in Istanbul only strengthens our resolve to defeat the forces of terrorism and radical jihadism around the world. And it reminds us that the United States cannot retreat,” Clinton said in a statement, according to PTI. “We must deepen our cooperation with our allies and partners in the Middle East and Europe to take on this threat,” she said. 

"All Americans stand united with the people of Turkey against this campaign of hatred and violence." —Hillary pic.twitter.com/QmSccJvcV0

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 28, 2016

It’s total chaos: Witness 

A witness told CNN that it was total chaos at the airport after the attack. One of them said there is a “mood of heightened panic” with people crying and screaming. 

"It was total chaos": Witness describes aftermath of terror attack at #Istanbul airport https://t.co/HxZ1TMRgSG https://t.co/xuVaBNlXXC

— CNN (@CNN) June 29, 2016

Witness describes "mood of heightened panic" after terror attack at #Istanbul airport https://t.co/5R3PqhQs7y https://t.co/qeP6vZr0Ce

— CNN (@CNN) June 29, 2016

Passengers rush out of the airport

Hevin Zini, 12, had just arrived from Duesseldorf, Germany, with her family told AP, “There was blood on the ground,” she told AP. “Everything was blown up to bits… if we had arrived two minutes earlier, it could have been us.”

Roads around the airport have been sealed off for regular traffic after the attack and several ambulances are driving back and forth. Hundreds of passengers have come out of the airport. 

Attackers detonated explosives at airport entrance

A Turkish official said two of the attackers detonated explosives at the entrance of the international arrivals terminal after police fired at them, while the third blew himself up in the parking lot. The official also said that none of the attackers had managed to get past security checks at the terminal’s entrance. 

AP

Attackers detonated explosives at airport entrance

A Turkish official said two of the attackers detonated explosives at the entrance of the international arrivals terminal after police fired at them, while the third blew himself up in the parking lot. The official also said that none of the attackers had managed to get past security checks at the terminal’s entrance. 

AP

Ban Ki-moon condemns terror attack

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the “terrorist attack” at Istanbu’s Ataturk airport and is calling for the perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice. 

UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the secretary-general “stands firmly by Turkey as it confronts this threat and stresses the need to intensify regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism.”

No lapse in security: Turkish PM

Three suicide bombers opened fire at passengers with automatic rifles before blowing themselves up, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said. The attackers had arrived at the airport by taxi. The Turkish Prime Minister ruled out any security lapses at the Ataturk International airport.

Security tightened at Mumbai airport

After the deadly attack at the Istanbul international airport, security has been tightened at the Mumbai airport. Turkish officials said that the victims included some foreigners.

Security tightened at Mumbai airport #istanbulattack pic.twitter.com/RmbMyf1Ydp

— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2016

Trump calls for waterboarding

Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump reiterated his call for the return of waterboarding and the use of other harsh interrogation techniques in the battle against Islamic State militants. While Hillary Clinton said the bombings at Istanbul Ataturk Airport are “a reminder that the United States cannot retreat.”

Islamic State suspected behind attack

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that initial findings at the Daesh organization as the perpetrators of this terror attack. 

Turkish prime minister says ISIL is prime suspect in Istanbul airport bombings https://t.co/2luP4Z2MtO pic.twitter.com/y2jXtu2n6a

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 29, 2016

Suicide bombers attack Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport

Three suspected Islamic State group suicide bombers targeted the international terminal of Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport on Tuesday, killing at least 36 people and wounding many others, Turkish officials said. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said 36 were dead as well as the three suicide bombers.