KT staffer escapes Istanbul airport attack

Dubai - I boarded my flight out of Istanbul four hours before the explosion, says KT staff reporter Arti Dani

I had just landed in Dubai post the IIFA awards in Madrid, Spain on Tuesday night. Little did I realize during my stopover in Istanbul that in just a few hours after I took off from this popular tourist destination, a massive tragedy would strike resulting in the loss of many innocent lives.
No sooner had I landed, I got a message from a concerned colleague enquiring if I was safe. I wondered why? It was then I heard about the explosion.
I am still responding to messages from people who care for me. My mother hasn't stopped crying since last night.
WATCH: 36 killed as explosions rock Istanbul airport 
I boarded my flight from Istanbul to Dubai on Tuesday evening, four hours before the bomb blast that killed at least 36 people. I have been to Istanbul before, for a vacation and I remember falling in love with the magical city at the first go. This time, fate brought me back to Istanbul because of a delayed flight connection. My flight from Madrid, Spain got delayed and I missed my connecting flight to Dubai from Istanbul on Monday. The kind airport staff got me a hotel accommodation and arranged for the next available flight that was on Tuesday evening.
While I was waiting for my flight on Tuesday evening, I remember chatting to other travelers from Central America and one from Istanbul itself. I consider myself blessed for having a lucky escape and I cannot help but pray that some of the happy travelers I interacted with are safe and fine too. I do understand the pain of losing loved ones and I am praying for the families of victims who lost their lives.
Having said that, I stand in solidarity with Istanbul. These attacks cannot take away my love for this magical city. I will go back to the city whenever I get an opportunity.

• UAE
• MENA