Triple suicide attack at Istanbul airport leaves more than 40 dead

At least 41 people have died and more than 230 were left injured in a triple suicide attack at Istanbul's Ataturk international airport.

Reports indicate that three gunmen opened fire at a security screening checkpoint before detonating suicide vests in the fourth and deadliest terror attack in the Turkish city this year.

Video footage allegedly showing the attack reveals scenes of chaos. In it, a gunman is apparently shot by police inside the terminal; an officer approaches him but then runs away seconds before the gunman detonates his suicide vest.

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One witness saw a police officer tackle a gunman to the ground before the attacker detonated his explosive vest, reports NBC News.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack "should serve as a turning point in the global fight against militant groups".

He added: "It is clear that this attack is not aimed at achieving any result but only to create propaganda material against our country using simply the blood and pain of innocent people."

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said he believes Islamic State was responsible, based on advice he received from security forces.

Authorities have recently carried out numerous arrests and raids, "leading some analysts to speculate that IS might carry out more retaliatory attacks", says The Guardian.

The bombing is "a symbolic attack at the heart of Istanbul," Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute told CNN. If IS is behind this attack, Turkey's vengeance will "come down like rain from hell", he added.

The airport was temporarily closed and flights diverted to other airports.