Flights cancelled and diverted after Istanbul terror attack

The Foreign Office is ‘urgently seeking further information’ following last night’s terrorism attack at Istanbul Ataturk Airport in which 41 people have now been confirmed dead.

Earlier reports said there were two suicide attackers, but it is now believed three attackers started randomly shooting outside the international terminal before moving towards the x-ray area and blowing themselves up.

Authorities say the majority of the dead were Turkish citizens, but as the attack happened at the airport’s international terminal foreigners were also among the victims.

Almost 150 people have been injured and it is feared the death toll could rise further.

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan said last night: "The bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world."

A British Airways flight from London, which was due to land at Ataturk Airport at around 11.40pm local time, just after the explosions, was returned to the UK and other flights have been halted or diverted.

BA has cancelled flights to Istanbul today and is awaiting information from authorities until it decides to resume.

Heathrow Airport issued the following advice: "Following the tragic incident in Istanbul, if you’re travelling to Istanbul Ataturk Airport please check your flight status with your airline before coming to Heathrow."

Airport officials say a third of flights into Ataturk have resumed.

Reports say the group calling itself Islamic State carried out the attack and there are claims that at least one of the bombers was a foreign national.

The Foreign Office updated its advice to say: "Flights to and from Ataturk International Airport are resuming gradually. Speak to your carrier for updated travel information before travelling to the airport."

The FCO has not changed its advice to Turkey: "Over 2,500,000 British nationals visit Turkey every year. It’s generally safe to travel but you should take additional safety precautions. You should be alert to your surroundings and remain vigilant in crowded places popular with tourists."

However, it repeated its advice that ‘further attacks are likely, could be indiscriminate and may target or affect places visited by foreigners’.

ABTA issued the following statement: "Following an attack at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, travellers in Istanbul are advised to follow the advice of the local authorities and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

"People due to travel should speak to their travel company or airline for information about travel to and from Istanbul. Flights to and from Ataturk International Airport are resuming gradually.

"The vast majority of British holidaymakers will visit the beach resorts on Turkey’s south coast which are hundreds of miles away from Istanbul.

"Following incidents earlier this year, Istanbul’s popularity as a city break destination has declined and there will be small numbers of British nationals in the city at this time."