This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/jun/29/istanbul-ataturk-turkey-airport-attack-explosions-rolling-report-updates
The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Istanbul airport attack: 31 killed and 147 injured in explosions in Turkey – latest updates | |
(35 minutes later) | |
12.35am BST | |
00:35 | |
Paul Roos, a 77-year-old South African who was due to fly out to Cape Town with his wife, has described witnessing the gunman shooting at random inside the international terminal. He told Reuters: | |
We came right to international departures and saw the man randomly shooting. He was just firing at anyone coming in front of him. | |
He was wearing all black. His face was not masked. I was 50 metres away from him. | |
We ducked behind a counter but I stood up and watched him. Two explosions went off shortly after one another. | |
By that time he had stopped shooting. He turned around and started coming towards us. He was holding his gun inside his jacket. | |
He looked around anxiously to see if anyone was going to stop him and then went down the escalator... we heard some more gunfire and then another explosion, and then it was over. | |
12.22am BST | |
00:22 | |
Response from the US: | |
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest: | |
The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms today’s heinous terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport in Turkey, which appears to have killed and injured dozens. Ataturk International Airport, like Brussels Airport which was attacked earlier this year, is a symbol of international connections and the ties that bind us together. | |
Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those killed, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured. We remain steadfast in our support for Turkey, our NATO ally and partner, along with all of our friends and allies around the world, as we continue to confront the threat of terrorism. | |
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said the attack in Istanbul airport was a reminder that the United States “cannot retreat”. | |
Today’s attack in Istanbul only strengthens our resolve to defeat the forces of terrorism and radical jihadism around the world. We must deepen our cooperation with our allies and partners in the Middle East and Europe to take on this threat. | |
Presumptive Republican Party nominee Donald Trump said “the terrorist threat has never been greater”. | |
Our enemies are brutal and ruthless and will do anything to murder those who do not bend to their will. We must take steps now to protect America from terrorists, and do everything in our power to improve our security to keep America safe. | |
12.14am BST | 12.14am BST |
00:14 | 00:14 |
Death toll rises | Death toll rises |
The Guardian has been told by the office of the Turkish justice minister that the number of confirmed dead has now risen to 31. 147 people have been wounded. | The Guardian has been told by the office of the Turkish justice minister that the number of confirmed dead has now risen to 31. 147 people have been wounded. |
Turkey’s state broadcaster TRT is reporting 38 people are dead, including 5 police, and at least 120 are injured. | Turkey’s state broadcaster TRT is reporting 38 people are dead, including 5 police, and at least 120 are injured. |
Figures of those killed and injured are notoriously difficult to ascertain in the hours after an attack of this nature. These numbers are likely to change again. | Figures of those killed and injured are notoriously difficult to ascertain in the hours after an attack of this nature. These numbers are likely to change again. |
12.09am BST | 12.09am BST |
00:09 | 00:09 |
Footage emerging of attacks... | Footage emerging of attacks... |
Several video clips are circulating online purporting to show the airport during and after the attacks. | Several video clips are circulating online purporting to show the airport during and after the attacks. |
Because of their graphic nature, The Guardian has chosen not to show these, and stresses they have not been verified or corroborated. Sources, however, have told The Guardian that the clips have verisimilitude. | Because of their graphic nature, The Guardian has chosen not to show these, and stresses they have not been verified or corroborated. Sources, however, have told The Guardian that the clips have verisimilitude. |
One graphic piece of footage posted online purports to be of one of the gunmen inside the terminal. | One graphic piece of footage posted online purports to be of one of the gunmen inside the terminal. |
It shows people fleeing a man dressed in black and carrying what appears to be a Kalashnikov, who runs into a hall area, before falling, apparently shot, and dropping his weapon, which slides away from him on the floor. | It shows people fleeing a man dressed in black and carrying what appears to be a Kalashnikov, who runs into a hall area, before falling, apparently shot, and dropping his weapon, which slides away from him on the floor. |
A man, believed to be a policeman or security official, approaches the prone gunman, appearing to point a gun at him for several seconds. The standing man then runs from the prone bomber who, after several seconds, detonates the explosive vest he is wearing. | A man, believed to be a policeman or security official, approaches the prone gunman, appearing to point a gun at him for several seconds. The standing man then runs from the prone bomber who, after several seconds, detonates the explosive vest he is wearing. |
A second clip shows people in the aftermath of the attacks huddling at the back of shops, and crouched down, unsure whether the attacks have ended and if it is safe to move. | A second clip shows people in the aftermath of the attacks huddling at the back of shops, and crouched down, unsure whether the attacks have ended and if it is safe to move. |
11.56pm BST | 11.56pm BST |
23:56 | 23:56 |
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a statement, warning that the attack on Turkey’s largest city is an attack on the whole world. He urged all governments and all of humankind to “join forces in the fight against terrorism”. | Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a statement, warning that the attack on Turkey’s largest city is an attack on the whole world. He urged all governments and all of humankind to “join forces in the fight against terrorism”. |
I strongly condemn the terror attack at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and offer my condolences to the victims’ families and our nation. May Allah bless the souls of everyone who lost their lives in this heinous attack. | I strongly condemn the terror attack at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and offer my condolences to the victims’ families and our nation. May Allah bless the souls of everyone who lost their lives in this heinous attack. |
The attack, which took place during the holy month of Ramadan, shows that terrorism strikes with no regard for faith and values. Nor do terrorists distinguish between their victims. | The attack, which took place during the holy month of Ramadan, shows that terrorism strikes with no regard for faith and values. Nor do terrorists distinguish between their victims. |
We urge the world, especially Western countries, to take a firm stand against terrorism. | We urge the world, especially Western countries, to take a firm stand against terrorism. |
Despite paying a heavy price, Turkey has the power, determination and capacity to continue the fight against terrorism until the end. Today’s attack targeted 79 million Turkish citizens along with 7.5 billion human beings around the world. The bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world. | Despite paying a heavy price, Turkey has the power, determination and capacity to continue the fight against terrorism until the end. Today’s attack targeted 79 million Turkish citizens along with 7.5 billion human beings around the world. The bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world. |
Make no mistake: For terrorist organizations, there is no difference between Istanbul and London, Ankara and Berlin, Izmir and Chicago, or Antalya and Rome. | Make no mistake: For terrorist organizations, there is no difference between Istanbul and London, Ankara and Berlin, Izmir and Chicago, or Antalya and Rome. |
Unless all governments and the entire[ty of] mankind join forces in the fight against terrorism, much worse things than what we fear to imagine today will come true. | Unless all governments and the entire[ty of] mankind join forces in the fight against terrorism, much worse things than what we fear to imagine today will come true. |
The Ataturk Airport attack should serves as a turning point in the fight against terrorism around the world and especially in Western countries. | The Ataturk Airport attack should serves as a turning point in the fight against terrorism around the world and especially in Western countries. |
11.55pm BST | 11.55pm BST |
23:55 | 23:55 |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.06am BST | at 12.06am BST |
11.46pm BST | 11.46pm BST |
23:46 | 23:46 |
There is still significant confusion surrounding the attacks on Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport Tuesday. Official reports say 28 people have been killed, and 60 injured, but there are credible reports the death toll is likely to rise. | There is still significant confusion surrounding the attacks on Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport Tuesday. Official reports say 28 people have been killed, and 60 injured, but there are credible reports the death toll is likely to rise. |
Three gunmen, believed to be wearing suicide vests, opened fire at the airport’s international terminal on Tuesday evening. | Three gunmen, believed to be wearing suicide vests, opened fire at the airport’s international terminal on Tuesday evening. |
The Guardian’s Constanze Letsch, in Istanbul, and Nicky Woolf, report: | The Guardian’s Constanze Letsch, in Istanbul, and Nicky Woolf, report: |
A series of deadly explosions tore through crowds at Istanbul’s Atatürk international airport on Tuesday evening, leaving at least 28 dead and 60 injured in an attack which officials blamed on the Islamic State terror group. | A series of deadly explosions tore through crowds at Istanbul’s Atatürk international airport on Tuesday evening, leaving at least 28 dead and 60 injured in an attack which officials blamed on the Islamic State terror group. |
The Associated Press cited an unnamed Turkish official who said that the death toll could be as high as 50. | The Associated Press cited an unnamed Turkish official who said that the death toll could be as high as 50. |
Shortly before the blasts, assailants armed with AK-47 rifles were involved in an exchange of gunfire with security guards outside the airport’s international terminal, according to officials. The gunmen then detonated what are believed to be suicide bombs. | Shortly before the blasts, assailants armed with AK-47 rifles were involved in an exchange of gunfire with security guards outside the airport’s international terminal, according to officials. The gunmen then detonated what are believed to be suicide bombs. |
Updated | Updated |
at 11.52pm BST | at 11.52pm BST |