Istanbul airport attack LIVE: Death toll climbs to 36; officials suspect ISIS hand

At least 36 people were killed and 140 injured in twin explosions that rocked Ataturk Airport in Istanbul on Wednesday, said senior Turkish officials.


The officials said that the death toll is expected to rise with initial indications suggesting Islamic State group behind the attack.


Earlier, Turkey’s state-run news agency quoted Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag as saying: “According to the information I was given, a terrorist at the international terminal entrance first opened fire with a Kalashnikov and then blew himself up. We have around 10 martyrs (dead) and around 20 wounded.”


Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the attackers detonated the explosives at the entrance of the international terminal before entering the x-ray security check.


In a video posted online by Turkish media Habertuk TV, security forces were seen rushing into the airport to tackle the situation.


Turkish media also reported the sound of gunfire at the scene. Turkey has suffered several bombings in recent months linked to Kurdish or Islamic State group militants.


“Unfortunately 10 people have been killed according to a preliminary toll,” Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said in the parliament in Ankara.

Two suspects blew themselves up outside the security checkpoint at the entry to the international terminal, after police opened fire on them, Turkish official informed.

These the visuals from the blast site.

Watch video here:

 CCTV camera captures the moment of explosion.

Initial footage from Istanbul airport after two loud explosions https://t.co/mGIIirwDfT

— Mahir Zeynalov (@MahirZeynalov) June 28, 2016

Atatürk Havalimanı'nda patlama...
Havalimanı çalışanı: Bombayı gördümhttps://t.co/HHSkCAVu6p

— Habertürk TV (@HaberturkTV) June 28, 2016

Atatürk hava limani bombali saldiri yapildi pic.twitter.com/qWpnLX7sGk

— Oguzcan Aksoy (@Oguz146) June 28, 2016

#Breaking Turkish media reports multiple dead bodies and more than 40 injuries in Ataturk Airport explosion #Turkey pic.twitter.com/EzrTKKLkZ8

— Yunus Paksoy (@yunuspaksoy) June 28, 2016

Ardarda gelen yarali cok #AtatürkHavaalanı#patlama pic.twitter.com/CAvVhgX7f3

— Yesimhzli (@yesimhzli) June 28, 2016

Atatürk Havalimanı'nda #Patlama sonrası çok sayıda yaralı var..!
Yüreğim kaldırmıyor küçücük çocuk kanlar içinde.. ! pic.twitter.com/vBQHZRO5ot

— ✦ T.☪ BAHA T.☪ ✦ (@ELTURC_O) June 28, 2016

Source:IndianExpress

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