About 41 people were killed and more than 239 were injured in a triple suicide attack in Atatürk airport in Istanbul and reports reveal that the attackers were likely affiliated with the Islamic State terror group.
Before detonating their explosives, two gunmen opened fire at the security checkpoint outside the airport while a third attacker detonated explosives in the parking lot, said a Turkish official according to New York Times. The attackers arrived at the airport in a taxi.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that the manner of the attack indicates that the Islamic State was responsible for it especially that numerous arrests and raids on the group were recently carried out in the country and at its borders by the Turkish security forces. But the group did not claim responsibility for the attack, as of early Wednesday.
Meanwhile, police sources believe that the attackers were affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) since the target was tourists. The attack may also be intended to mark the two year anniversary of Isil "caliphate" which was created two years ago today as announced by Isil leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Telegraph reported.
"I hope the attack at the Ataturk airport will be a turning point in the world, and primarily for the Western states, for a joint struggle against terror organizations," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who condemned the attack adding that it "revealed the dark face of terror organizations targeting innocent civilians."
Reports also speculate that the attack was politically motivated and could be a response to the recent reconciliation between Turkey and Israel as they restore diplomatic relations after being estranged for six years. It is also believed that the attack is designed to hurt the tourism industry of Turkey that brings more than $30 billion in revenue annually.
Videos and photos of the attack were shared on social media, showing the scene during the horrific explosion and after the attack where shattered pieces of concrete and fallen tiles were seen. Some of the victims were brought to hospitals by taxis.
The airport has reopened and air traffic is back to normal just five hours after the incident. Passengers were seen walking over broken glass while the stench of smoke is still in the air and some workers are still cleaning blood around the area.