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| Istanbul airport attack: Turkish PM says Isis behind explosions that killed at least 36 – latest updates | Istanbul airport attack: Turkish PM says Isis behind explosions that killed at least 36 – latest updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.04am BST | |
| 06:04 | |
| Terror strikes Turkey | |
| What we know so far about the terrorist attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport: | |
| Gunmen armed with kalashnikovs and and suicide vests, stormed the entrance to Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport shortly after 9pm Tuesday, killing 36 people and injuring 147. | |
| Turkey’s Prime Minister has said the attack was carried out by agents of Daesh -using the Arabic term for Isis - but the terror network has not yet claimed responsibility for the attack. | |
| At least two gunmen were involved in the assault, but authorities suspect a third man was also involved. The men caught a taxi to the airport, emerging at the international arrivals terminal where they opened fire. | |
| South African tourist Paul Roos described seeing a gunman shooting at at people indiscriminately. | |
| 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. | |
| Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos at Istanbul Airport. #Istanbul #istanbulataturkairport pic.twitter.com/JyoxlbSpC2 | |
| The terrorists were unable to get past the airport’s x-ray security checkpoint, and became involved in a firefight with security and police. | |
| Several video clips circulating online purport to show the gunmen attacking the airport. | |
| 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 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. | |
| The attack on Turkey’s largest airport, and the third-busiest in Europe, is yet another ‘soft’ target attack, following on from the attack on Brussels airport in March which killed 32 people and injured more than 300. | |
| It is also the third attack on Turkey’s biggest city this year. | |
| Istanbul has been on a high security alert for months after three deadly attacks in the city blamed on Islamic State jihadis and the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks, a radical offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ party. Less than a month ago a car suicide bomber killed 12 people and wounded several others in the central Istanbul district of Vezneciler. | |
| In the aftermath of the attack, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack showed “the dark face of terror that targets innocent civilians”. | |
| “This attack does not produce any results, it aims to produce propaganda against our country using the blood and pain of innocent people”. | |
| Erdogan urged the whole world to unite in the fight 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. | |
| “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.” | |
| Speaking at the airport, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said: “our security force’s findings indicate that this terror attack was done by DAESH but we are still working to determine who is behind the attack”. | |
| Yildrim also said it was “noteworthy that this heinous terror attack took place at a time when [Turkey] successfully fights separatist terror and enters a period of normalisation with our neighbours”, an apparent reference to Turkey’s recent rapprochement with Israel and Russia. | |
| Ataturk Airport was closed for only a matter of hours before being reopened to flights in and out of the country. | |
| 5.02am BST | 5.02am BST |
| 05:02 | 05:02 |
| Departures have resumed from Ataturk Airport | Departures have resumed from Ataturk Airport |
| Departures have now also resumed at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport. https://t.co/0TCt9XggHw pic.twitter.com/WhX0L3Odr6 | Departures have now also resumed at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport. https://t.co/0TCt9XggHw pic.twitter.com/WhX0L3Odr6 |
| 4.35am BST | 4.35am BST |
| 04:35 | 04:35 |
| People on flights that had flown out of Ataturk Airport just before the terror attacks watched coverage of the assault on live TV. | People on flights that had flown out of Ataturk Airport just before the terror attacks watched coverage of the assault on live TV. |
| Startled passengers who just got off a flight from #Istanbul share their reactions w/ @Chauncyontv The latest at 10https://t.co/31wIoM9YV7 | Startled passengers who just got off a flight from #Istanbul share their reactions w/ @Chauncyontv The latest at 10https://t.co/31wIoM9YV7 |
| 4.24am BST | 4.24am BST |
| 04:24 | 04:24 |
| The BBC’s Turkey correspondent, Mark Lowen, who was stuck with fellow passengers on a plane on the tarmac at Istanbul Airport for several hours, has been allowed off, and to go home. | The BBC’s Turkey correspondent, Mark Lowen, who was stuck with fellow passengers on a plane on the tarmac at Istanbul Airport for several hours, has been allowed off, and to go home. |
| Scene of attack at #Istanbul airport. I'm finally out and en route home. Thinking of all those who didn't make it pic.twitter.com/qSbyYTEAAG | Scene of attack at #Istanbul airport. I'm finally out and en route home. Thinking of all those who didn't make it pic.twitter.com/qSbyYTEAAG |
| 4.22am BST | 4.22am BST |
| 04:22 | 04:22 |
| Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport is open for flights in and out. Flights from IST have begun landing across the world. | Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport is open for flights in and out. Flights from IST have begun landing across the world. |
| Retweeted 11Alive News (@11AliveNews):EMOTIONAL REUNION: inbound flight from #Istanbul lands at @ATLAirport.... https://t.co/D7IdXwYhnp | Retweeted 11Alive News (@11AliveNews):EMOTIONAL REUNION: inbound flight from #Istanbul lands at @ATLAirport.... https://t.co/D7IdXwYhnp |
| 4.04am BST | 4.04am BST |
| 04:04 | 04:04 |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 3.46am BST | 3.46am BST |
| 03:46 | 03:46 |
| From Istanbul, The Guardian’s Constanze Letsch reports that while Tuesday night’s attack on Ataturk Airport was the deadliest terror attack in Turkey this year, it was not the first. | From Istanbul, The Guardian’s Constanze Letsch reports that while Tuesday night’s attack on Ataturk Airport was the deadliest terror attack in Turkey this year, it was not the first. |
| Istanbul has been on a high security alert for months after three deadly attacks in the city this year blamed on Islamic State jihadis and the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK), a radical offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK). Less than a month ago a car suicide bomber killed 12 people and wounded several others in the central Istanbul district of Vezneciler. | Istanbul has been on a high security alert for months after three deadly attacks in the city this year blamed on Islamic State jihadis and the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK), a radical offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK). Less than a month ago a car suicide bomber killed 12 people and wounded several others in the central Istanbul district of Vezneciler. |
| Globally, terror attacks on the ‘soft’ target of airports are common, and increasingly so. Below is a list, not comprehensive, of the major attacks on airports over the past five years. | Globally, terror attacks on the ‘soft’ target of airports are common, and increasingly so. Below is a list, not comprehensive, of the major attacks on airports over the past five years. |
| June 26, 2016 - Three suspected Islamic State group suicide bombers targeted the international terminal of Istanbul’s Ataturk airport, killing at least 36 people and wounding many others, Turkish officials said. | June 26, 2016 - Three suspected Islamic State group suicide bombers targeted the international terminal of Istanbul’s Ataturk airport, killing at least 36 people and wounding many others, Turkish officials said. |
| June 12, 2016 - An explosion at a check-in-area of Shanghai’s main international airport injures four people. The blast at Pudong International Airport, China’s second-busiest, was carried out using fireworks stuffed inside empty beer bottles. | June 12, 2016 - An explosion at a check-in-area of Shanghai’s main international airport injures four people. The blast at Pudong International Airport, China’s second-busiest, was carried out using fireworks stuffed inside empty beer bottles. |
| March 22, 2016 - 16 people are killed in two suicide bombings as bombs ripped through check-in counters at Brussels Airport. The Islamic State group claims responsibility for the attack. A subsequent explosion at a Brussels subway station killed 16 more people. | March 22, 2016 - 16 people are killed in two suicide bombings as bombs ripped through check-in counters at Brussels Airport. The Islamic State group claims responsibility for the attack. A subsequent explosion at a Brussels subway station killed 16 more people. |
| March 7 2016 - A bomb explodes in a piece of luggage at an airport in a central Somali town, wounding three people. Somalia’s Islamic extremist rebels, al-Shabab, claim responsibility for the blast. | March 7 2016 - A bomb explodes in a piece of luggage at an airport in a central Somali town, wounding three people. Somalia’s Islamic extremist rebels, al-Shabab, claim responsibility for the blast. |
| December 28, 2015 - A suicide car bomb attack killed at least one civilian near the eastern entrance of the Kabul international airport. Another 13 civilians were wounded. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. | December 28, 2015 - A suicide car bomb attack killed at least one civilian near the eastern entrance of the Kabul international airport. Another 13 civilians were wounded. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. |
| March 21, 2015 - A machete-wielding man attacks TSA officers at New Orleans’ international airport and is shot and killed. Authorities later said he was carrying a bag loaded with Molotov cocktails. One of the TSA officers was slightly injured. | March 21, 2015 - A machete-wielding man attacks TSA officers at New Orleans’ international airport and is shot and killed. Authorities later said he was carrying a bag loaded with Molotov cocktails. One of the TSA officers was slightly injured. |
| July 18, 2012 - A bomb explodes on a bus carrying Israeli tourists at the airport in Burgas, Bulgaria, killing five of the tourists, the Bulgarian bus driver and the suicide bomber. Another 35 people are hurt. In 2014, Bulgaria’s interior minister says he is convinced the Shiite militant group Hezbollah was behind the bus bombing. | July 18, 2012 - A bomb explodes on a bus carrying Israeli tourists at the airport in Burgas, Bulgaria, killing five of the tourists, the Bulgarian bus driver and the suicide bomber. Another 35 people are hurt. In 2014, Bulgaria’s interior minister says he is convinced the Shiite militant group Hezbollah was behind the bus bombing. |
| February 27, 2012 - Suicide car bomber struck at the gates of Jalalabad airport in eastern Afghanistan, killing nine people. The Taliban said the attack on the airport, which serves both civilian and international military aircraft, was revenge for the burning of Muslim holy books at an American military base. | February 27, 2012 - Suicide car bomber struck at the gates of Jalalabad airport in eastern Afghanistan, killing nine people. The Taliban said the attack on the airport, which serves both civilian and international military aircraft, was revenge for the burning of Muslim holy books at an American military base. |
| January 24, 2011 - Suicide bomber blew himself up in the international arrivals area of Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, killing 37 people and wounded 180 others and was claimed by Chechen rebels. Russia’s Federal Investigative Committee later identified the suicide bomber as a 20-year-old from the North Caucasus region. | January 24, 2011 - Suicide bomber blew himself up in the international arrivals area of Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, killing 37 people and wounded 180 others and was claimed by Chechen rebels. Russia’s Federal Investigative Committee later identified the suicide bomber as a 20-year-old from the North Caucasus region. |
| (From Associated Press) | (From Associated Press) |
| 3.24am BST | 3.24am BST |
| 03:24 | 03:24 |
| Sympathy and solidarity with Turkey from all over the world... | Sympathy and solidarity with Turkey from all over the world... |
| The news about bombing attack at #Istanbul🇹🇷 airport is devastating. Our thoughts are with victims & their families. pic.twitter.com/24PWbpRhg9 | The news about bombing attack at #Istanbul🇹🇷 airport is devastating. Our thoughts are with victims & their families. pic.twitter.com/24PWbpRhg9 |
| Our thoughts are with the victims of the attacks at @istanbulairport. √ STOP TERRORISM ! Pray for #istanbul pic.twitter.com/gnZIdks3Zx | Our thoughts are with the victims of the attacks at @istanbulairport. √ STOP TERRORISM ! Pray for #istanbul pic.twitter.com/gnZIdks3Zx |
| My heart is with you #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/alBd9rXHTQ | My heart is with you #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/alBd9rXHTQ |
| 3 suicide bombers. 28 people are dead and 60 in hospitals. Terror has no nationality, race or religion. #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/ZoAMrdsmSA | 3 suicide bombers. 28 people are dead and 60 in hospitals. Terror has no nationality, race or religion. #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/ZoAMrdsmSA |
| 3.13am BST | 3.13am BST |
| 03:13 | 03:13 |
| “In one direction there were shots, in the other direction there were bombs. And people ran out as fast as they could. There were people bleeding on the sidewalk.” | “In one direction there were shots, in the other direction there were bombs. And people ran out as fast as they could. There were people bleeding on the sidewalk.” |
| Eyewitness accounts of the Ataturk Airport terror attacks, from Voice of America. | Eyewitness accounts of the Ataturk Airport terror attacks, from Voice of America. |
| Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos at Istanbul Airport. #Istanbul #istanbulataturkairport pic.twitter.com/JyoxlbSpC2 | Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos at Istanbul Airport. #Istanbul #istanbulataturkairport pic.twitter.com/JyoxlbSpC2 |
| 3.00am BST | 3.00am BST |
| 03:00 | 03:00 |
| Many countries have issued updated travel warnings in the wake of the assault on Istanbul’s international airport. | Many countries have issued updated travel warnings in the wake of the assault on Istanbul’s international airport. |
| The United States issued an updated travel warning for Turkey, warning of the threat of terrorist attack, two days before the Ataturk Airport assault. | The United States issued an updated travel warning for Turkey, warning of the threat of terrorist attack, two days before the Ataturk Airport assault. |
| United States of America: | United States of America: |
| The US State Department issued a new travel warning for Turkey on Monday, June 27, two days before three armed suicide bombers stormed the arrivals hall of the country’s busiest airport. | The US State Department issued a new travel warning for Turkey on Monday, June 27, two days before three armed suicide bombers stormed the arrivals hall of the country’s busiest airport. |
| United Kingdom: | United Kingdom: |
| The Foreign office has updated its travel advice in the wake of the Istanbul attack, and warns: “the threat from terrorism remains high”. | The Foreign office has updated its travel advice in the wake of the Istanbul attack, and warns: “the threat from terrorism remains high”. |
| Australia: | Australia: |
| The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has placed Ankara and Istanbul on the second-highest advice level: reconsider your need to travel | The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has placed Ankara and Istanbul on the second-highest advice level: reconsider your need to travel |
| 2.22am BST | 2.22am BST |
| 02:22 | 02:22 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| Bonnie Malkin | Bonnie Malkin |
| 2.12am BST | 2.12am BST |
| 02:12 | 02:12 |
| Constanze Letsch | Constanze Letsch |
| The triple suicide attack in Atatürk airport in Istanbul that killed dozens and wounded scores more may well become the deadliest bombing in Turkey this year – but it is certainly not the first. | The triple suicide attack in Atatürk airport in Istanbul that killed dozens and wounded scores more may well become the deadliest bombing in Turkey this year – but it is certainly not the first. |
| Police sources quoted in Turkish media said that the attackers were likely affiliated with the Islamic State terror group. Turkish security forces have recently carried out numerous arrests and raids on the group in the country and at its borders, leading some analysts to speculate that Isis might carry out more retaliatory attacks. | Police sources quoted in Turkish media said that the attackers were likely affiliated with the Islamic State terror group. Turkish security forces have recently carried out numerous arrests and raids on the group in the country and at its borders, leading some analysts to speculate that Isis might carry out more retaliatory attacks. |
| Read the full analysis here. | Read the full analysis here. |
| Related: Suicide bombings at Turkey's Atatürk airport follow pattern of deadly violence | Related: Suicide bombings at Turkey's Atatürk airport follow pattern of deadly violence |
| 1.58am BST | 1.58am BST |
| 01:58 | 01:58 |
| It seems quite incredible, but Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport is open again... | It seems quite incredible, but Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport is open again... |
| Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport now operational. #TK25 will be first passenger flight to land. https://t.co/CuilQCnJPn pic.twitter.com/cGH909b26X | Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport now operational. #TK25 will be first passenger flight to land. https://t.co/CuilQCnJPn pic.twitter.com/cGH909b26X |
| 1.57am BST | 1.57am BST |
| 01:57 | 01:57 |
| Further to the Prime Minister’s statement: | Further to the Prime Minister’s statement: |
| Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim confirmed 36 people have been killed in the attack on Ataturk Airport in Istanbul. | Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim confirmed 36 people have been killed in the attack on Ataturk Airport in Istanbul. |
| He said the victims include some foreigners and that many of the dozens wounded have minor injuries but others are more badly hurt. | He said the victims include some foreigners and that many of the dozens wounded have minor injuries but others are more badly hurt. |
| Yildrim said Turkish security forces had advised that Daesh (the Arabic name for Isis) was behind the attack. | Yildrim said Turkish security forces had advised that Daesh (the Arabic name for Isis) was behind the attack. |
| But he said the airport had been reopened and air traffic was back to normal from Turkey’s busiest airport. | But he said the airport had been reopened and air traffic was back to normal from Turkey’s busiest airport. |
| He also said that it was “noteworthy that this heinous terror attack took place at a time when [Turkey] successfully fights separatist terror and enters a period of normalisation with our neighbours”, an apparent reference to Turkey’s recent rapprochement with Israel and Russia. | He also said that it was “noteworthy that this heinous terror attack took place at a time when [Turkey] successfully fights separatist terror and enters a period of normalisation with our neighbours”, an apparent reference to Turkey’s recent rapprochement with Israel and Russia. |
| 1.51am BST | 1.51am BST |
| 01:51 | 01:51 |
| United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has issued a statement condemning the attacks on Turkey. | United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has issued a statement condemning the attacks on Turkey. |
| The Secretary-General condemns today’s terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport. He expresses his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Turkey. He wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. | The Secretary-General condemns today’s terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport. He expresses his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Turkey. He wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. |
| The Secretary-General hopes that the perpetrators of this crime will be identified and brought to justice. He 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. | The Secretary-General hopes that the perpetrators of this crime will be identified and brought to justice. He 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. |
| 1.38am BST | 1.38am BST |
| 01:38 | 01:38 |
| Elle Hunt | Elle Hunt |
| Facebook has activated its safety check featurein the wake of the explosions in Instanbul. | Facebook has activated its safety check featurein the wake of the explosions in Instanbul. |
| The tool lets users who are at or near the site of a natural disaster or terrorist attack mark themselves and others as safe, as well as check if any of their friends have been affected. | The tool lets users who are at or near the site of a natural disaster or terrorist attack mark themselves and others as safe, as well as check if any of their friends have been affected. |
| Facebook’s Disaster Response page posted a status in relation to the blasts at Ataturk airport: | Facebook’s Disaster Response page posted a status in relation to the blasts at Ataturk airport: |
| On Tuesday, June 28 at 11:35pm local time in Turkey, we activated Safety Check after the explosions that took place in Istanbul. Our hearts go out to everyone touched by these tragic events.” | On Tuesday, June 28 at 11:35pm local time in Turkey, we activated Safety Check after the explosions that took place in Istanbul. Our hearts go out to everyone touched by these tragic events.” |
| Safety Check is a simple and easy way to say you’re safe and check on others after a crisis or disaster. We hope the people in the area find the tool a helpful way to let friends and family know they are okay. | Safety Check is a simple and easy way to say you’re safe and check on others after a crisis or disaster. We hope the people in the area find the tool a helpful way to let friends and family know they are okay. |
| Facebook uses location services and any registered locations to determine which of its users are in the area, though it has made mistakes in the past. | Facebook uses location services and any registered locations to determine which of its users are in the area, though it has made mistakes in the past. |
| In March, it asked users all over the world if they’d been affected by the suicide bombing in Pakistan. Some received texts to their phones asking “Have you been affected by the explosion?” without any indication of where the danger was. | In March, it asked users all over the world if they’d been affected by the suicide bombing in Pakistan. Some received texts to their phones asking “Have you been affected by the explosion?” without any indication of where the danger was. |
| The feature was introduced last year, based on a location tool built after the Fukushima tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011, with the intention of being used in the case of natural disasters. | The feature was introduced last year, based on a location tool built after the Fukushima tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011, with the intention of being used in the case of natural disasters. |
| The policy surrounding its use was changed after it was activated for the Paris terror attacks. | The policy surrounding its use was changed after it was activated for the Paris terror attacks. |
| 1.26am BST | 1.26am BST |
| 01:26 | 01:26 |
| The people of Pakistan have suffered as greatly from Islamist jihadist terror as any nation on earth. Vigils have been held in that country in solidarity with Turkey tonight. | The people of Pakistan have suffered as greatly from Islamist jihadist terror as any nation on earth. Vigils have been held in that country in solidarity with Turkey tonight. |
| We extend our profound sympathies & condolences to the victims & their families #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/JpptL1tCNi | We extend our profound sympathies & condolences to the victims & their families #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/JpptL1tCNi |
| 1.13am BST | 1.13am BST |
| 01:13 | 01:13 |
| Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim speaking outside the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul. He confirmed 36 people were killed in the terror assault on the airport Tuesday night, and said security forces have indicated the attack was carried out by Daesh (using the Arabic name for Isis). | Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim speaking outside the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul. He confirmed 36 people were killed in the terror assault on the airport Tuesday night, and said security forces have indicated the attack was carried out by Daesh (using the Arabic name for Isis). |