Istanbul airport: a scene of gunfire, bombs and sirens
Witnesses recount panic and horror of airport carnage
A petrified honeymoon couple hugged each other inside a hair salon cupboard as shots rang out outside, praying the gunmen rampaging through Istanbul’s airport would not find them.
Other survivors crouched under check-in counters frantically weighing up whether to stay put or flee.
Amid the chaos, some watched the horror unfold on smartphones or told their stories live on social media. Many were left not knowing for hours whether loved ones were alive or dead.
Witnesses to the carnage at Istanbul airport described scenes of blind panic and stomach-churning terror after attackers detonated three bombs and began shooting indiscriminately in the main terminal building.
At least 41 people died in the bloodiest of four attacks in the city this year. Turkish authorities have pointed the finger at Islamic State militants.