Christian leaders have condemned the terrorist attack on Istanbul’s main international airport this week as the death toll rose to at least 41 with some 239 more people injured.
Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, condemned the attack as an “odious crime”.
“We pray for the victims and their families and we hope and pray there can be a redoubling of efforts to bring peace to the region to end the conflicts which are fueling such odious criminal acts,” he said. “This attack was particularly monstrous as it was clearly aimed at causing maximum casualties to the innocent during a particularly busy time at one of the world’s busiest hub airports.”
Pope Francis joined in prayer for the victims and their families and the Turkish people in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday, praying that those who perpetrate such attacks would have a change of heart.
One of the three suicide bombers reportedly opened fire on people in the airport before they all detonated their bombs on Tuesday night. Authorities in Turkey believe the attack was probably carried out by followers of the so-called Islamic State.
Along with Turkish nationals, 13 foreigners were among the dead.
Turkey has declared three days of national mourning in the wake of the attack which was also condemned by world leaders including US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
