At least 28 killed in suicide bomb and gun attack at Istanbul Airport

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AT LEAST 28 people have died and 60 injured in a coordinated suicide bomb and gun attack at the entrance to Ataturk International Airport at about 10pm tonight.

Officials have said police fired weapons on two suspects who then blew themselves up before passing through the first x-ray security checkpoint.

Istanbul Gov. Vasip Şahin has stated three suicide bombers carried out the attack.

At least 60 people, of whom six were heavily wounded, were injured in the explosions, Anadolu Agency reported.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ said at least one attacker first opened fire with a Kalashnikov rifle before detonating himself.

35C3B20A00000578-3664710-Crowds_gather_outside_the_airport_after_tonight_s_explosions_as_-a-90_1467147127752The explosions occurred at the airport’s international terminal, according to initial reports.

A witness told CNN Türk that gunfire was heard from the car park at the airport.

35C3A5DB00000578-3664710-Ceiling_tiles_are_scattered_over_the_ground_outside_the_internat-a-79_1467147127520A number of ambulances were also deployed to the scene, while taxis also transported wounded people to hospitals, according to an eyewitness speaking to CNN Türk.

Flights being diverted to Izmir, Ankara or back to origin airport. All IST flights cancelled until 8am, but check your travel agent/flight operator.

More than 61 million people used the Ataturk international airport in 2015 alone and it’s the third largest airport in Europe.

No doubt contact or alert relatives into/out of the airport as there will be a knock-on effect with flights..

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