- Twin explosions rocked Istanbul's Ataturk airport in what officials say was a suicide attack
- Gunfire also reported to have broken out from the direction of its car park
- Witnesses say four men were seen running away from terminal building
- Initial reports claim around 40 people have been injured in the explosions
- At least 10 people have died, with taxi drivers ferrying injured to hospital
Suicide bombers have killed at least 10 and wounded 40 at Istanbul's Ataturk airport after blowing themselves up as police opened fire, according to Turkish officials.
It is understood that a 'terrorist' first opened fire with a Kalashnikov, before blowing himself up.
It is not yet clear how many attackers were involved as witnesses reported twin blasts that struck at the International Arrivals Terminal at 7.50pm GMT - 9.50pm local time.
The first photographs to emerge from the airport show a scene of devastation, with debris and what appear to be ceiling tiles scattered over the taxi ranks outside the airport.
A man carries a wounded boy away from the devastated airport tonight after the twin explosions, in what is believed to have been a suicide attack
Ceiling tiles are scattered over the ground outside the international arrivals terminal, which was hit by what is believed to have been a suicide blast tonight
Ambulances rush to the airport after the blasts this evening, to help the at least 40 wounded in the blast
An AK-47 can be seen lying abandoned on the floor, after two suicide bombers set of blasts at the airport as police opened fire
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag confirmed 10 people were killed in the attack at the international arrival terminal.
'A terrorist at the international terminal entrance first opened fire with a Kalashnikov and then blew himself up,' he said, speaking to parliament in the country’s capital of Ankara.
It is believed the suspects had been trying to pass through the x-ray machines when they were stopped by security officials.
They then opened fire and became locked in a shootout with security and police officers.
Some of the wounded are said to be police officers involved in the melee.
Turkish airports have security checks at both at the entrance of terminal buildings and then later before entry to departure gates.
The private DHA news agency said the wounded were being transferred to Bakirkoy State Hospital.
One photograph from the scene shows an AK-47 lying abandoned on the floor of the airport following the attack.
Police officers and ambulance crews outside the international arrivals terminal, which was struck in what officials say was a terror attack
Ambulance crews ferry the wounded away from the terminal. The wounded are believed to include a number of police officers and security personnel
The first images to emerge from the scene show debris, including what appear to be ceiling tiles, scattered over taxis
An abandoned office at Turkey's largest airport, the Ataturk airport in Istanbul, where reports say explosions and gunfire have broken out. A window pane to the right of the image appears to have been shattered
Ambulance crews and emergency services have descended on the stricken airport, as the number of wounded is expected to increase.
A witness told broadcaster CNN Turk that gunfire was heard from the direction of the car park at the airport, which is the largest in Turkey.
Four armed men were reportedly seen running away from the terminal building after the explosions, according to Turkey's NTV channel.
All flight operation from the airport has been suspended, and passengers hoping to travel were kept inside the airport for their own safety where mobile phone footage captured scenes of terror and confusion as crowds gathered in corridors awaiting news.
Initial reports put the number of wounded at around 40 people. Taxis are ferrying the wounded away from the airport, which officials suspect was hit by a suicide bomber
A witness told broadcaster CNN Turk that gunfire was heard from the direction of the car park at the airport, which is the largest in Turkey. Pictured, emergency services at the airport
Paramedics at the scene help the 40 wounded at the airport, with at least 10 people reported to have died
A photograph of the entrance to the international airport shows scattered debris as onlookers gather around to help the wounded - initially estimated to number around 40 people
Crowds gather outside the airport after tonight's explosions, as emergency crews rush to help the wounded
Holidaymakers drag their suitcases outside the airport, as all flights were grounded following the attack
Two explosions and gunfire have been heard at Istanbul's Ataturk airport (pictured), according to reports in Turkish media
A file image of the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, which is the country's largest airport. Explosions and gunfire have hit the airport, although it is not yet clear whether it was a terror attack or suicide blast, according to officials
A Turkish official confirmed to Reuters that two explosions had hit the airport.
Turkey has suffered several bombings in recent months linked to Kurdish or ISIS militants.
The bombings included two in Istanbul targeting tourists - which the authorities have blamed on the Islamic State group.
The attacks have increased in scale and frequency, scaring off tourists and hurting the economy, which relies heavily on tourism revenues.
The U.S. State Department published a travel warning in March, encouraging citizens to 'exercise heightened vigilance and caution when visiting public access areas, especially those heavily frequented by tourists'.
More to follow
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