No Indian casualties in Istanbul attack, says MEA; tweets emergency numbers
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that no Indian casualties have been reported as of now in the deadly suicide attacks that took place at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport.
At least 36 people have been killed and over 100 others injured in a suicide gun and bomb attack on the airport that took place late Tuesday evening.
The attackers opened fire at airport guards at the terminal entrance and a shootout erupted before they blew themselves up one by one.
Issuing a statement, the ministry said the Indian Consulate and Embassy in Turkey have tweeted emergency contact numbers for Indians requiring assistance.
"The Consulate has been in touch with Istanbul Governorate and the Turkish Health Ministry hotline desk," said the ministry.
The ministry also informed that Turkish Air flights to Delhi and Mumbai departed Istanbul last night as scheduled.
"Ataturk Airport operations at Istanbul have resumed but long delays are likely. Many flights are reported to have been diverted to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. Delays are expected there as well," the ministry said.
The Twitter accounts of the Consulate General of India in Istanbul and the Indian Embassy in Ankara tweeted some emergency numbers for Indians requiring assistance following the attack. MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup retweeted these numbers.
Terror attack at Istanbul Atatrk Airpt. Entry/Exit pts shut. Indians req assist, pls call +90-530-5671095/8258037/4123625/ #IndianEmbassyTR
— India in Istanbul (@CGI_Istanbul) June 28, 2016
You may also contact First Secretary, Embassy of India, Ankara at 05303142203 @CGI_Istanbul
— India in Turkey (@IndianEmbassyTR) June 28, 2016
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said, "According to assessments so far, 36 people have lost their lives along with three suicide bombers. We also have (people who are) wounded. Many of them suffer from minor injuries but few people suffer from serious injuries. Treatment is underway."
"Findings by our security forces indicate that this terror attack was carried out by Daesh (Islamic State). Even though the findings point to Daesh, the probe is still underway. The airport reopened to air traffic as of 2:22am (1122GMT) and air traffic returned to normal," he added.
Turkey has been hit by a string of deadly attacks in the past year, blamed on both Kurdish rebels and the Islamic State terrorist group. Meanwhile, the US and French consulates have issued a warning, asking people to stay away from the area.
