Roberta Aguirre
On 28 June 2016, three gunmen opened fire on people at the international terminal of Istanbul's Ataturk airport in Turkey, before blowing themselves up. The attack, which lasted about a minute and a half, killed 41 people and injured more than 230. Although no group claimed responsibility for the attack, Turkish officials suspected the Islamic State (ISIS) was behind it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 28 June 2016 |
| Time | Shortly before 22:00 |
| Location | Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey |
| Attackers | 3 |
| Victims | 41-45 dead, 230+ injured |
| Victims' nationalities | Foreigners or dual citizens from Iran, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Palestine, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, China, Jordan, Turkey |
| Perpetrators' nationalities | Uzbekistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Chechnya |
| Perpetrators' suspected affiliation | Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) |
| Type of attack | Gun and bomb attack |
| Target | International terminal of airport |
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What You'll Learn
- The attack took place on 28 June 2016, with 41 people killed and over 230 injured
- Three attackers arrived in a taxi, armed with automatic weapons and explosives
- The Islamic State was suspected to be behind the attack, although no one claimed responsibility
- The attack took place at the international terminal of Istanbul's third-busiest airport in Europe
- The airport resumed flights the next day, but about one-third were cancelled with many delays
The attack took place on 28 June 2016, with 41 people killed and over 230 injured
The 2016 Istanbul Atatürk Airport attack was a terrorist attack that took place on 28 June 2016, resulting in 41 deaths and over 230 injuries. The attack, which consisted of shootings and suicide bombings, occurred at the international terminal of Terminal 2. Three attackers arrived at the airport in a taxi and opened fire at the security checkpoint near the X-ray scanners, leading to an exchange of gunfire with police. The attackers then detonated their explosives, causing deadly explosions that tore through the crowds.
The attack caused widespread disruption, with flights to and from the airport suspended and many flights cancelled or delayed when operations resumed. The airport community returned to its ordinary routine quickly, with public transport running at full capacity in the following days. The attack also had international repercussions, with travel advisories issued by several countries, discouraging travel to Istanbul. U.S. flights to and from Turkey were also suspended for several hours.
The nationalities of the attackers were identified as foreign nationals from Uzbekistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Chechnya. Turkish authorities suspected the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) was behind the attack, although no group claimed responsibility. This belief was echoed by other officials, including the U.S. CIA director, who stated that the attack bore the hallmarks of an ISIL terror attack. The attack followed a pattern of similar incidents in Istanbul and other European cities, targeting iconic locations with international significance.
The Istanbul Atatürk Airport attack resulted in global condemnation, with expressions of sympathy and support for Turkey and the victims. At least 80 countries and international organisations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the European Union, spoke out against the atrocious acts of violence. The Turkish government called for unity and a joint effort from all governments in the fight against terrorism. The attack highlighted the vulnerability of airports and the need for heightened security measures to protect against such threats.
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Three attackers arrived in a taxi, armed with automatic weapons and explosives
On 28 June 2016, three attackers arrived in a taxi and began firing at the terminal entrance of Istanbul's Ataturk airport. The attack, which occurred shortly before 10 pm local time, killed 41 people and injured more than 230 others. The perpetrators were armed with automatic weapons and explosives, and they opened fire at the entrance where the X-ray machines were positioned, sparking an exchange with police. This resulted in a major coordinated assault at the airport, which is the third busiest in Europe.
The attackers were believed to have come from Russia and Central Asia, with two of them identified as Russian nationals Rakim Bulgarov and Vadim Osmanov. They were reportedly speaking a language unfamiliar to their taxi driver, possibly Chechen. The attack was thought to be organized by a Chechen extremist and top ISIS lieutenant, Akhmed Chatayev.
During the attack, two gunmen fired at a security checkpoint outside the airport before detonating their explosives. A third assailant set off a bomb in the parking lot. This individual was shown in a closed-circuit television video walking and firing at people within the terminal before being shot by a security officer. The officer then ran away, likely noticing the gunman's explosive belt.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) was suspected to be behind the attack, although no one claimed responsibility. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stated that early signs pointed to ISIS, and the attack followed a pattern of ISIL targeting Turkey due to its government's perceived closeness to Western allies in NATO. Additionally, Turkey had been taking steps to close down ISIL networks within its borders.
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The Islamic State was suspected to be behind the attack, although no one claimed responsibility
On 28 June 2016, a series of deadly explosions tore through crowds at Istanbul's Atatürk international airport, killing 41 people and injuring more than 230. The attack was carried out by three assailants who arrived in a taxi and began firing at the terminal entrance. They blew themselves up after police fired back.
Although no one claimed responsibility for the attack, early signs pointed to the Islamic State (IS) as the perpetrators. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stated that the "evidence points to Daesh", using the Arabic acronym for the group. British counter-terrorism officials termed the attack "a marauding terrorist firearms attack", following a pattern first seen in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. IS had targeted Turkey in the past due to its government's perceived closeness to Western allies in NATO and its efforts to close down IS networks within the country.
The attack on the airport, which is Europe's third busiest in passenger traffic, caused widespread disruption. Flights in and out of the airport were suspended, and many countries issued travel advisories discouraging travel to Istanbul. The United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the European Union all condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with Turkey.
In the aftermath of the attack, Turkish authorities detained 22 people, confirming that the perpetrators were foreign nationals from Uzbekistan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. The attack highlighted the vulnerability of the airport, which had long been seen as a potential target. It also underscored the ongoing threat posed by terrorist organizations to Turkey and other countries around the world.
While IS did not officially claim responsibility, the attack bore the hallmarks of their previous operations. The lack of an immediate claim was not surprising, as IS rarely claims responsibility for attacks against the Turkish state. However, commentators suggested that the attack may have been in response to increased pressure from Turkish authorities on IS networks within the country.
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The attack took place at the international terminal of Istanbul's third-busiest airport in Europe
On 28 June 2016, Istanbul's Ataturk airport was the target of a terrorist attack. The airport is Europe's third busiest in terms of passenger traffic, serving 61.3 million passengers in 2015. The attack took place at the international terminal of the airport. Three attackers arrived in a taxi and began firing at the terminal entrance. They were armed with automatic weapons and explosive belts, and they opened fire on people at the international section of the airport before detonating their explosives. The attack resulted in the deaths of 41 people, with more than 230 people injured.
The attack caused a swift reaction from authorities around the world. Flights in and out of the airport were suspended, and many countries issued travel advisories, discouraging travel to Istanbul. The attack also sparked security concerns at other airports, with police in New York and New Jersey boosting security.
While no one claimed responsibility for the attack, Turkish officials suspected the involvement of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). This suspicion was based on the pattern of the attack, which resembled previous ISIL assaults. Additionally, the attack occurred amid increased pressure on ISIL by Turkish authorities, leading commentators to suggest a potential link.
The attack highlighted the vulnerability of Istanbul's Ataturk airport, which had long been seen as a potential target. The incident prompted discussions about the need for unified global efforts to combat terrorism, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urging all governments to take a firm stand against terror.
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The airport resumed flights the next day, but about one-third were cancelled with many delays
On 28 June 2016, three gunmen opened fire on people at the international section of Istanbul's Ataturk airport before detonating their explosives. The attack killed 41 people and injured more than 230. In the aftermath of the attack, flights in and out of the airport were suspended. However, by the next day, air traffic had resumed, and flights were operating once again.
Despite the swift return to normality, about one-third of the flights scheduled for that day were cancelled, and many others were delayed. This disruption caused continued inconvenience to travellers, some of whom had been trapped inside the airport for over two hours during the attack. In the days following the attack, public transport was at full capacity, and locals continued to gather in market squares.
The attack was suspected to have been carried out by the Islamic State, also known as ISIL or ISIS, although no group claimed responsibility. The Turkish Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, stated that the evidence pointed to Daesh, and the attack fit the pattern of a "marauding terrorist firearms attack" previously seen in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The bombers were believed to have come from Russia and Central Asia, specifically Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Chechnya, and had entered the airport in a taxi.
The resumption of flights, despite the cancellations and delays, demonstrated the airport's and the city's resilience in the face of the attack. It also reflected the determination of the Turkish people to continue their daily lives and not be cowed by acts of terrorism.
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Frequently asked questions
The attack took place on 28 June 2016.
41 people were killed, including 13 foreigners or dual citizens.
239 people were injured.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but Turkish authorities suspected the Islamic State (ISIS).
Flights in and out of the airport were suspended, and the airport and wider community returned to ordinary routine within a few days.
