Bodies lying lifeless outside the airport where one of the bombs went off (Photo: Al Jazeera)
Bodies lying lifeless outside the airport where one of the bombs went off (Photo: Al Jazeera)

One of the world’s most important airports, the Ataturk airport in Istanbul, Turkey came under attack this night. Three bombs exploded, killing 28 people and injuring 60 others.

It is not yet clear who attacked the airport rated as the 11th busiest airport in the world but the governor of Istanbul said three suicide bombers were responsible and that police fired shots at them before their bombs went off. Neither ISIS nor the PKK has claimed responsibility however, the attack came on a day when Turkey and Israel reached a peace agreement.

Ambulances at Ataturk airport after the bombings. (Photo: Reuters)
Ambulances at Ataturk airport after the bombings. (Photo: Reuters)

The attack on Ataturk International Airport has triggered a lot of jitters in different parts of the world because the airport is truly international. It is the major hub for American, European and other travelers who are travelling to the Middle East. The airport too is known to be the major transit point for would-be terrorists travelling into Syria or to the Turkish border.  As at press time for People & Power this night, massive rescue operations were still going on. The dead were being evacuated while the injured were being rushed in ambulances to health facilities in Istanbul.

Investigators at the scene (Photo: Sedat Suna/EPA)
Investigators at the scene (Photo: Sedat Suna/EPA)

The airport has been cordoned off and international travelers who were scheduled to connect their destination through Istanbul will definitely have their flights redirected or cancelled. The US State Department has issued a travel alert warning American citizens to stay away from Istanbul airports.