Istanbul Airport Attack: Chilling Details Emerge

George Thomas : Jun 29, 2016
CBN News

Turkey's largest airport has long been seen as a vulnerable target, especially since it's become the last stop for many Islamic terrorists before heading to Syria.

(Turkey)—[CBN News] Eyewitness accounts and video footage are providing a chilling look at the Istanbul airport suicide bombing that killed at least 41 and injured more than 200 people. (Screengrab via CBN News)

Surveillance video shows one of the terror suspects on the floor after being shot by a security officer. Twenty-five seconds after being hit, the terror suspect struggles to lift his hand—then blows himself up.

Close by, another suicide bomber detonates an explosive in the middle of crowded passengers waiting to check in.

Yana Chizhanova, on her way to Moscow, had made it past immigration when she posted video on Instagram of panicked travelers crouching on the floor near shops. 

In one scene, a group of men try to calm and console a frightened passenger.

Chizhanova later posted on social media writing, "Thank God I'm alive."

Steven Nabil, an Iraqi American Christian, was wrapping up his honeymoon and transiting through Istanbul on his way to New York City when the attack happened.

"I saw people falling as I was coming down the steps. There was blood. One of the blasts shook every single thing in that airport. It was strong," Nabil said.

It was shortly after 10 p.m. local time when officials say the attackers arrived at Europe's third busiest airport by taxi and started firing with Ak-47s.

"People were shooting from one side and we all ran the other way and then bombs went off and people started running the other way and there was more shooting," Adam Keally, a tourist from Boston, said.

Turkey's largest airport has long been seen as a vulnerable target, especially since it's become the last stop for many Islamic terrorists before heading to Syria.

"People were very badly injured," Keally said. "One guy had holes in his back from shrapnel or from glass."

Turkey's prime minister believes ISIS was behind the attack, though no group has claimed responsibility.  Still, a few weeks back, Islamic State called for attacks during the holy month of Ramadan.

This latest incident comes on the heels of a bloody year in Turkey. Hundreds have been killed in numerous attacks linked to ISIS and other militant groups.