Inside of Istanbul Atatürk Airport after the attack. Credit: Conflict News
THREE gunmen assaulted Turkey’s busiest airport Tuesday evening, killing at least 36 and injuring 147 more.
The three men opened fire with their AK-47 automatic rifles before committing suicide bomb attacks at Istanbul Atatürk Airport. Details are unconfirmed, but Turkish prime minister Binali Yildirim said that terror group ISIS is behind the attack and that foreigners are among those killed. However, ISIS has yet to officially claim responsibility.
All flights at the major European gateway were also suspended after the attack, but has since resumed this morning.
International media reports based on leaked video footage indicated that one of the blasts took place at the entrance of the terminal. Local witnesses also saw body parts and blood strewn and splattered on the airport floor and walls.
One of the terrorists was also shot by a police officer but managed to detonate his suicide bomb as he fell to the ground.
This is the worst terror attack to have hit Turkey this year, having suffered two other suicide bombings in tourist areas of Istanbul and two car bombings in capital Ankara.
Brussels airport was also attacked in March this year, killing 16.
