A BUSINESSMAN caught up in the terror attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport has spoken of the “mass panic” he witnessed.
Motivational business coach Bernie De Souza arrived in the terminal just minutes after the bombing and shootings – believed to have been carried out by so-called Islamic State – which left 45 dead, including 19 foreigners.
Mr De Souza, who has worked with a number of companies in the borough and who was en route to speak in Hong Kong, told The Observer: “I arrived just minutes after the bombing and shooting.
“There was mass panic, and I saw people running in all directions. Medics were wheeling away injured people on stretchers
and the bodies of those who had been killed.
“Some people had blood on them, and some were covered over, and sadly I presume were dead. I saw a couple sitting alive but covered in blood.
“I saw very few security staff, and the worst thing was no one knew what was going on. A tray was dropped at one point and people thought there was another attack.
“Everyone was obviously very nervous, but people of all nationalities were sharing food and trying to help one another in any way they could.”
Mr De Souza could have been caught in the middle of the attack, which took place at the airport’s Arrivals building late last month, had his Air Turkey flight from Birmingham not been delayed.
He added: “I am so grateful my flight was delayed in England by 30 minutes or I would have been in the building the exact time of the bombing.”
Warwick resident Mr De Souza was also lucky he managed to get a flight out from Europe’s third busiest airport just 24 hours later. Hundreds of other stranded passengers were forced to sleep on the terminal floor for days.
Speaking again to The Observer after arriving in Hong Kong, Mr De Souza said he was safe and well and looking forward to returning to Britain and his family on Monday – but his return flight will involve another stop over in Istanbul.
Thirteen suspects, including ten Turks, have been charged with the attacks.
It is believed three attackers had been trying to pass through X-ray machines when they were stopped by Turkish security officials. A firefight broke out in the terminal after the terrorists began shooting with AK-47 rifles.
The gunmen detonated suicide bombs. All three died.
