Ambulances arrive at Turkey's largest airport, Istanbul Ataturk, Turkey, following a blast on June 28, 2016. (Reuters)
Istanbul, Turkey:
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Wednesday that early signs suggested the ISIS was behind a triple suicide bombing at Istanbul airport, as he announced the death toll in the attack had risen to 36.
"According to the most recent information, 36 people have lost their lives," Yildirim told journalists at the scene of the attack, adding that "the evidence points to Daesh", using another name for ISIS.
The premier added that there were "many injured", without giving a figure.
Three suicide bombers opened fire at passengers with automatic rifles before blowing themselves up, Yildirim said.
He did not identify the bombers or give their nationality.
The prime minister added that the attackers had arrived at the airport by taxi. He ruled out any security failings at Ataturk, one of Europe's busiest air hubs.
Air traffic will resume at the airport from 3:00 am local time (0000 GMT), Yildirim said.
Earlier, the private Dogan news agency said the attackers had killed at least 32 people -- including two police officers -- and wounded 88 others.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an international "joint fight" against terror after the attack, the fourth deadly bombing in Istanbul this year alone.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which prompted the suspension of all flights at Turkey's busiest airport.
Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin said three suicide bombers had carried out the attack, striking during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Security camera footage widely circulated on social media appeared to capture two of the blasts. In one clip a huge ball of flame erupts at an entrance to the terminal building, scattering terrified passengers.
Another video shows a black-clad attacker running inside the building before collapsing to the ground -- apparently felled by a police bullet -- and blowing himself up.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as the blasts hit, while images on social media showed passengers lying on the floor and luggage trolleys overturned.
"It was very strong, everyone panicked and started running in all directions," one witness told CNN Turk.
Security staff yelled at passengers as they rushed to evacuate them from the airport.
Police set up a security cordon around the site, while a dozen ambulances rushed to the scene.
ISIS Suspected
Turkey has been hit by a string of deadly attacks in the past year, blamed on both Kurdish rebels and the ISIS terrorist group.
The Turkish airport attack also follows coordinated suicide bombings at Brussels airport and a city metro station in March that left 32 people dead.
Brussels airport tweeted its condolences, saying: "Our thoughts are with the victims of the attacks at @istanbulairport.
"We wish them, their relatives & all airport staff strength & courage."
Dogan news agency cited police sources indicating ISIS is believed to have played a role, though Turkish officials said it was too early to confirm a link.
Security expert Abdullah Agar told CNN Turk the attack bore the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.
"It really bears a resemblance to their methods," he said in reference to the Brussels bombings, which were claimed by ISIS.
The US and French consulates warned people to stay away from the area, while Turkish officials said flights would be cancelled until at least 8:00 am on Wednesday.
Erdogan Call
After the airport carnage, Erdogan met with his prime minister and military chief.
"We urge the world, especially Western countries, to take a firm stand against terrorism," Erdogan said in a statement.
"Despite paying a heavy price, Turkey has the power, determination and capacity to continue the fight against terrorism until the end."
Istanbul, a major tourism hub that is home to some 15 million people, has suffered a series of attacks in recent months, including a bombing in the heart of the tourist district that killed a dozen German visitors and was blamed on ISIS.
Two months later, three Israelis and an Iranian were killed in a bombing on the city's main Istiklal shopping street, also blamed on ISIS.
A blast on the tarmac at Istanbul's other international airport, Sabiha Gokcen, killed a cleaner and wounded another in December, damaging several planes.
Located just outside Turkey's biggest city, Ataturk airport served more than 60 million passengers in 2015, making it one of the busiest in the world.
Turkey has been hit by at least five attacks blamed on ISIS terrorists, including a blast in Ankara in October 2015 that left over 100 dead, though the group has never formally claimed responsibility for an attack in Turkey.
Turkey was long accused by its Western partners of turning a blind eye to the dangers posed by ISIS but has in recent months considerably stepped up police raids on the group's cells in the country.
Ankara has meanwhile launched a sustained offensive against the outlawed rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) following the collapse of a ceasefire last year.
Hundreds of members of the Turkish security forces have been killed in PKK attacks since the truce collapsed.
"According to the most recent information, 36 people have lost their lives," Yildirim told journalists at the scene of the attack, adding that "the evidence points to Daesh", using another name for ISIS.
The premier added that there were "many injured", without giving a figure.
Three suicide bombers opened fire at passengers with automatic rifles before blowing themselves up, Yildirim said.
He did not identify the bombers or give their nationality.
The prime minister added that the attackers had arrived at the airport by taxi. He ruled out any security failings at Ataturk, one of Europe's busiest air hubs.
Air traffic will resume at the airport from 3:00 am local time (0000 GMT), Yildirim said.
Earlier, the private Dogan news agency said the attackers had killed at least 32 people -- including two police officers -- and wounded 88 others.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an international "joint fight" against terror after the attack, the fourth deadly bombing in Istanbul this year alone.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which prompted the suspension of all flights at Turkey's busiest airport.
Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin said three suicide bombers had carried out the attack, striking during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Security camera footage widely circulated on social media appeared to capture two of the blasts. In one clip a huge ball of flame erupts at an entrance to the terminal building, scattering terrified passengers.
Another video shows a black-clad attacker running inside the building before collapsing to the ground -- apparently felled by a police bullet -- and blowing himself up.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as the blasts hit, while images on social media showed passengers lying on the floor and luggage trolleys overturned.
"It was very strong, everyone panicked and started running in all directions," one witness told CNN Turk.
Security staff yelled at passengers as they rushed to evacuate them from the airport.
Police set up a security cordon around the site, while a dozen ambulances rushed to the scene.
ISIS Suspected
Turkey has been hit by a string of deadly attacks in the past year, blamed on both Kurdish rebels and the ISIS terrorist group.
The Turkish airport attack also follows coordinated suicide bombings at Brussels airport and a city metro station in March that left 32 people dead.
Brussels airport tweeted its condolences, saying: "Our thoughts are with the victims of the attacks at @istanbulairport.
"We wish them, their relatives & all airport staff strength & courage."
Dogan news agency cited police sources indicating ISIS is believed to have played a role, though Turkish officials said it was too early to confirm a link.
Security expert Abdullah Agar told CNN Turk the attack bore the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.
"It really bears a resemblance to their methods," he said in reference to the Brussels bombings, which were claimed by ISIS.
The US and French consulates warned people to stay away from the area, while Turkish officials said flights would be cancelled until at least 8:00 am on Wednesday.
Erdogan Call
After the airport carnage, Erdogan met with his prime minister and military chief.
"We urge the world, especially Western countries, to take a firm stand against terrorism," Erdogan said in a statement.
"Despite paying a heavy price, Turkey has the power, determination and capacity to continue the fight against terrorism until the end."
Istanbul, a major tourism hub that is home to some 15 million people, has suffered a series of attacks in recent months, including a bombing in the heart of the tourist district that killed a dozen German visitors and was blamed on ISIS.
Two months later, three Israelis and an Iranian were killed in a bombing on the city's main Istiklal shopping street, also blamed on ISIS.
A blast on the tarmac at Istanbul's other international airport, Sabiha Gokcen, killed a cleaner and wounded another in December, damaging several planes.
Located just outside Turkey's biggest city, Ataturk airport served more than 60 million passengers in 2015, making it one of the busiest in the world.
Turkey has been hit by at least five attacks blamed on ISIS terrorists, including a blast in Ankara in October 2015 that left over 100 dead, though the group has never formally claimed responsibility for an attack in Turkey.
Turkey was long accused by its Western partners of turning a blind eye to the dangers posed by ISIS but has in recent months considerably stepped up police raids on the group's cells in the country.
Ankara has meanwhile launched a sustained offensive against the outlawed rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) following the collapse of a ceasefire last year.
Hundreds of members of the Turkish security forces have been killed in PKK attacks since the truce collapsed.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
