(VOVworld) - Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala said Thursday that the death toll in the attack at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport has risen to 43, including 19 foreign nationals, and more than 200 others were injured. He said 13 suspects, including 9 foreigners, have been detained. 

A Turkish police officer stands guard at the Ataturk airport in Istanbul,. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Speaking to the press in Istanbul, Mr. Ala said Turkish authorities are carrying out a serious and comprehensive investigation into the attack. He said initial signs point to the Islamic State, but that is not yet certain.

On Thursday, Russian media reported that Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of Russia's Security Council, sent a telegram to the head of Turkey's National Security Council calling for cooperation in fighting terrorism. He said the bomb attack at Atatürk airport underscores the need for joint action against terrorist threats.