India-bound planes took off from Istanbul airport 2 hours before strike

New Delhi: Indian passengers on two flights had a close shave at the Istanbul Ataturk airport which was attacked by terrorists on Tuesday night.

Two flights of Turkish Air bound for New Delhi and Mumbai left the Istanbul Ataturk airport at 8 pm on Tuesday, just two hours before the suicide bombers struck. The Indian government said on Wednesday that there were no Indians reported among the 41 people dead in the terror attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk airport.

Turkey is a popular tourist destination for Indian tourists and the end of June would be a time when Indian tourists would be returning back to India after their holidays.

India condemned the terror attack as “inhuman and horrific” and said it would “continue to ensure safety and security of Indian airports and skies”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Attack in Istanbul is inhuman and horrific. I condemn it strongly. My thoughts are with bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly.”

The Indian consulate has been in touch with the Istanbul governorate and the Turkish Health Ministry hotline desk.