— UPDATE BELOW —
It would appear that terrorism has struck again — this time at Europe’s third largest airport, Istanbul’s main Ataturk airport.
UPDATE: 2 consecutive blasts and gunshots point to terror attack at İstanbul Atatürk Airport https://t.co/bXykkU9Svl pic.twitter.com/5LWD5Ci3VG
— Turkish Minute (@TurkishMinuteTM) June 28, 2016
While there is no confirmation of responsibility yet, terrorism experts are saying this ‘Brussels style’ attack has the hallmarks of ISIS.
Via Turkish Minute:
Two suicide bomb attacks occurred and gunshots were heard at the international terminal in İstanbul Atatürk Airport at around 10 p.m on Tuesday, leaving dead at least 10 people and injuring over 40.
A large number of ambulances, policemen and firefighters were dispatched to the airport. Those injured, including police officers, are being taken to the Bakırköy State Hospital.
Security forces have closed off the entrances of the airport.
Alleged picture of an AK-47 on the floor of the terminal (unverified) #Turkey #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/Tk1fB5f8FR
— Michael Horowitz (@michaelh992) June 28, 2016
Somehow, I don’t believe gun control would have prevented today’s attack, despite the presence of an AK-47.
Istanbul’s Ataturk airport is far more than just Turkey’s largest airport. Serving some 60 million passengers annually, only Paris’ Charles de Gaulle and London’s Heathrow airports are larger. Ataturk is a major international hub; one would have to assume the groups and/or individuals behind today’s attacks intended to hit an international crowd.
Turkey has been the target of recent terror attacks by ISIS extremists. as well as Kurdish nationalist groups. Earlier this month, a car bomb targeted a bus carrying riot police, killing 11 people and injuring 36 others.
Experts say the international target of today’s attack makes it more likely that ISIS was behind the attack, rather than the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, who has typically targeted police and military personnel.
UPDATE, from CNN:
— At least 28 people have been killed and 60 others wounded in a terror attack on Istanbul Ataturk Airport in Turkey, Istanbul Gov. Vasip Sahin told Turkey’s state-run news agency TRT. Three bombers were also killed, the governor said. Another report, from semi-official news agency Anadolu, said six of the wounded are in critical condition. A total of 49 ambulances were sent to the site.
— There has been no immediate claim of responsibility.
— Traveler Joe Durand told CNN from the airport that “Police are not letting anyone in … Hundreds of people are flooding away from airport… People are trying to get away. They’re not saying much — just the look on their face is enough, shock, some of them bleeding…”
“People are walking away bleeding, with bandages on their head.”
[Note: This article was written by Michelle Jesse, Associate Editor]