UPDATE 5 - 36 dead in Istanbul terror attack, Turkish PM says

UPDATES WITH DEATH TOLL FROM TURKEY’S PM

ISTANBUL (AA) – At least 36 victims and three suicide bombers were killed while scores of others were injured in a terror attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport, Turkey’s prime minister said Wednesday.

Briefing the media, Binali Yildirim condemned the attack and extended condolences to the victims’ families.

He said initial suspicions suggest Daesh was responsible.

“There is a claim that one other terrorist could have managed to escape,” he said.

“Some foreign nationals were also injured.”

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said earlier that an attacker opened fire using an AK-47 assault rifle at the international terminal before detonating a suicide bomb and Gov. Vasip Sahin said law enforcement believed three terrorists had blown themselves up at the entrance to the terminal at the airport after police fired at them.

“Entry and exit of passengers will be returned to normal rapidly and scheduled flights will be started as soon as possible,” Sahin said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the terror attack with Yildirim and Hulusi Akar, Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, at the Presidential Palace, according to presidential sources.

Police and medical teams are at the scene and access to and from the airport has been blocked.

Yildirim was briefed by Interior Minister Efkan Ala and Sahin, and has ordered the formation of a crisis desk.

Huseyin Tombul, who witnessed that attack, said the explosion occurred while he was waiting at the airport’s arrivals Gate A.

He said after the explosion they were sheltered at the garage. "A second explosion happened at the Gate B. Four of my friends lost their lives. There are lots of wounded," he added.

*Anadolu Agency correspondent Hatice Kesgin and Handan Kazanci contributed to this report.