Turkey mourns victims of Istanbul airport attack

Turkey is observing a national day of mourning after a gun and suicide bomb attack on Istanbul's Ataturk airport killed 41 people, including 13 foreign nationals

Turkey declared Wednesday a national day of mourning
Turkey declared Wednesday a national day of mourning

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Wednesday a national day of mourning, and calling the attack “a turning point” in the global fight against militant groups.

Three attackers arrived in a taxi and began firing at the terminal entrance late on Tuesday. After the police fired back, the perpetrators proceeded to blow themselves up.

Officials say 239 people were injured, with 41 still intensive care.

Turkish health minister Recep Akdag says that 128 people remain in hospital, including nationals of Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Switzerland, the Associated Press reports.

Turkish PM Binali Yildirim has identified Daesh as the culprits, despite the fact that no-one so far has admitted carrying out the attack.

Turkish investigators are reportedly examining CCTV footage, witness statements and mobile phone video recorded by terrified passengers to try to determine the identity of the attackers.

The BBC reports that autopsies on the three dead men suggested they may be foreign nationals but this has not been confirmed, citing the Dogan news agency.

By early Wednesday morning, flights had already resumed albeit with many cancellations and delays.