Passengers on plane from Istanbul: 'People were trying not to panic'

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- After three suspected Islamic State group suicide bombers targeted the international terminal of Istanbul's Ataturk airport Tuesday, many landing in Houston from Istanbul are feeling relieved.

"We saw it on live TV on the plane," Bobby Delgado said.

He says the captain didn't make the announcement on the airplane but flight attendants were glued to the television. Many passengers on board tell abc13 that security was "extra tight" when they departed Istanbul.

"Security there was top-notch," Bogar Ventura said. "Inside the airport we went through security checkpoints for five times and got scanned several different times. It was some of the tightest airport security we've ever seen."

He says when the doors opened upon landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, people were running off.

"It was probably one of the more quiet landings I have ever been on and when the doors open people were running to get out of the plane," he added.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said 36 were dead and Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said 147 were wounded. Another senior government official told The Associated Press the death toll could climb much higher.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.