Forensic teams identify victims of Ataturk airport attack as relatives mourn

Forensic teams identify victims of Ataturk airport attack as relatives mourn



ISTANBUL: -- Families and friends of those killed in the Ataturk airport attack have gathered at the Istanbul Forensic Institution where the bodies are being identified.

As relatives grieved Turkey observed a national day of mourning.

Our correspondent in Istanbul Bora Bayraktar said: “This is the place when the pain is most deeply felt after the terrorist attack. It’s here that the bodies are handed back to
relatives.”

Authorities continue to piece together events using CCTV footage and mobile phone videos made by terrified people.

A simple favour for a friend turned into tragedy for one man:“He was there to pick up a mutual friend from the airport. While they were leaving the attack happened. He was shot, a policeman smothered a suicide bomber. He sacrificed himself and saved many others.
We will take his body to our hometown. My friend was married with three children. I condemn terrorism.”

The assault on Ataturk airport is the sixth major attack this year on Istanbul or the Turkish capital, Ankara.