Istanbul targeted by terrorists: 36 dead, 150 injured, ISIL suspected of attack

Thirty-six people, including foreigners, were killed in a triple suicide bombing attack carried out last night at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, the Turkish Prime Minister announced, saying that the Islamic State is likely behind the attack, reports the Patria News Agency.  

"According to the latest information, 36 people lost their lives," Binali Yildirim told reporters, stating that "there are initial indications that it is the Islamic State." Nearly 150 people were injured, he added.

Three suicide bombers first opened random fire and then blew themselves up at the airport entrance.

Most of the dead are Turks, an official said, but there are also citizens of other countries. There is no information yet about which countries they are from.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Istanbul and called for a decisive global response in the fight against terrorist groups.

The attack on the third busiest airport in Europe is one of the deadliest in a series of suicide attacks in Turkey.

"It has become clear, with this incident, that terrorism is a global threat. This attack targeting innocent people is a vile, planned terrorist act," Yildirim told reporters at the airport.

Although there are, as he said, "initial indications that the Islamic State is behind the attack," hours after the attack that began shortly before 9 PM, no group has claimed responsibility. However, the attack bears the hallmarks of those already carried out by ISIL, such as the Brussels attack in March. 

The White House immediately condemned the attack in the strongest terms, assuring Turkey of the US's support.