The Istanbul assailants could not pass the security checks at the entrance of the airport, the Turkish prime minister said on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Istanbul Atatürk Airport was the scene of a major terror attack, in which at least 44 people were killed and 239 were wounded by three assailants armed with automatic assault rifles and explosive vests.
"The assailants opened fire on security personnel at the entrance after they could not pass the checks," Binali Yıldırım told reporters in the capital Ankara.
"One of them blew himself up outside, while the other two took advantage of the panic during gunfire to enter, and blew themselves up inside," Yildirim said.
The prime minister added that the attack has shown officials the need to enhance security at airports, especially against potential armed attacks.
Meanwhile, Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala, also in Ankara, said that all information and evidence collected shows that the Daesh terrorist organization was responsible for the attack.
"But, the case has yet to be finalized," Ala added.
