After this morning’s news of a devastating suicide bomb attack on Istanbul‘s Ataturk Airport in Turkey, officials have now stated that the death toll is far higher than they’d originally thought.
This morning Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag confirmed in Parliament that the death toll stood at around 10 people, but now, a senior Turkish official has said that “nearly 50” people are expected to have died in the attack.
BREAKING: Senior Turkish official says nearly 50 people killed in attack at Istanbul’s airport.
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 28, 2016
Turkey has experienced a series of bombings this year, including two ISIS-linked suicide attacks in Istanbul, and several car bombings in Ankara which were claimed by Kurdish military groups.
Reports are emerging that say the two explosions were the work of ISIS terrorists who arrived in Turkey before Ramadan, but nothing has yet been confirmed:
BREAKING NEWS: US official: “very likely” Istanbul Attack was work of 35 terrorists ISIS sent to Turkey ahead of Ramadan – NBC
— Breaking News Feed (@pzf) June 28, 2016
CCTV footage from the attack has also started to emerge. Please be warned that this footage may be considered graphic to some viewers:
Before and after the suicide attack in Istanbul via @140journos pic.twitter.com/8GWoAd4Vws
— Mutlu Civiroglu (@mutludc) June 28, 2016
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a statement, saying this attack on Turkey‘s largest city was an attack on the whole world, and we must join forces:
“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.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.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.The Ataturk Airport attack should serves as a turning point in the fight against terrorism around the world and especially in Western countries.”
We will update this story as more information arises.
Source: Twitter / The Guardian.
Photo: Defne Karadeniz / Getty.
