(Image: Getty)
In what is believed to be yet another Isil (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) attack, a triple suicide bombing took place last night at Instanbul’s international Ataturk Airport, which is the third busiest airport in Europe.
According to The Telegraph, the bombers detonated explosive vests in the arrival hall of the airport. The bombers were reportedly trying to pass through X-ray machines at the passport control when they were stopped by Turkish security officials. At this point the bombers opened fire with AK-47 rifles and airport officers returned shots.
The Daily Mail reports that according to a Turkish official, two of the attackers detonated their explosives at the terminal entrance after being fired upon by police, while the third blew himself up in the car park.
Two South African tourists, Paul and Susie Roos from Cape Town, were at the airport and due to fly home at the time of the explosions. “We came up the escalator from the arrivals to the departures when we heard shots going off,” Paul told news agencies.
According to The Daily Mail, South African Judy Favish, who spent two days in Istanbul as a layover on her way home from Dublin, had just checked in when she heard an explosion followed by gunfire and a loud bang. She says she hid under the counter for some time and that passengers were ushered to a cafeteria at basement level where they were kept for more than an hour before being allowed outside.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:
- 41 people were killed (13 of which were foreigners)
- A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said five of the dead were from Saudi Arabia, two were from Iraq, and one from Tunisia, Uzbekistan, China, Iran, Ukraine and Jordan.
- 239 wounded
- Victims included foreigners and locals
- The governor’s office said 109 of the 239 wounded were discharged from hospital.
- Turkey PM Binali Yildirim says Islamic State most likely suspects
- Considering the fact that Turkey Airlines is the official partner of the Euro 2016 football tournament currently being held in France, it has long been speculated that the airport is set to be a target for an Isis attack
- Isil had called for attacks during the holy month of Ramadan and have focused attention on Turkey, as it is currently bidding to join the European Union (Telegraph UK)
Stay posted for updates as they happen.