As the world woke up to the news of a late-night gun and bomb attack on Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, which killed 41 and injured 230, there was an outpouring of condolences and condemnation. Everyone from US President Barack Obama to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi decried the attack.
Indian celebrities too took to social media to express grief. But, unfortunately, some went off message.
Actor Hrithik Roshan, who was at the Istanbul airport with his sons a little before the attack, tweeted about the close shave and shared his prayers for the city. The three were returning from their vacation at a national park in Tanzania via Istanbul, he said, and had to settle for economy class tickets.
missed connecting flight at Istanbul n wer stuck at airport next flight ws next day,but took economy n flew out earlier. #Prayers4istanbul
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) June 28, 2016
Ws helped by d kindest staff at Istanbul arport hours ago. Shocking news. Innocents killed 4 religion.V must stand united against terrorism.
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) June 29, 2016
Actor Celina Jaitly too tweeted her shock on social media. But, along with that, she mentioned that she had been at the airport a month back on her way to Miami, Florida, to be honoured by the Harvey Milk Foundation, a non-profit that supports LGBT youth. Jaitly, a United Nations Human Rights Equality Champion, is recognised for her contribution to human rights.
I transited through #istanbul airport last month on my way to #Miami to be honoured by @HMilkFoundation SHOCKED to hear about terrorattack 💔
— Celina Jaitly (@CelinaJaitly) June 29, 2016
Sharing my click of lovely sunset over @istanbulairport while landing.Prayers n more for all there #istanbulattack 💔 pic.twitter.com/cEp80RgGpm
— Celina Jaitly (@CelinaJaitly) June 29, 2016
Twitter quickly ticked off Roshan and Jaitly for their seeming insensitivity.
@priyashmita @NameFieldmt That is more horrifying for Hrithik than people dying.
— Anita Jeyan Sandeep (@AnitaJeyan) June 29, 2016
@ScrollsNInk Meh, let's just ignore him. I am really sad for the world right now.
— Shaunak De (@shaunakde) June 29, 2016
looking at his tweets, I think Hrithik has a peanut size brain https://t.co/C7DzQr80yi
— Superman (@gooljaar) June 29, 2016
@CelinaJaitly @HMilkFoundation oh wow you were being honored? But this is to express your shock at the terrorist act, right?
— ItsAWonderfulLife (@christeneliz) June 29, 2016
@CelinaJaitly what's wrong with u? this is a moment of tragedy not an incident to milk ur share of attention.
— aJiT™ (@oartija) June 29, 2016
@CelinaJaitly @HMilkFoundation
— Javeed (@javeed_glt) June 29, 2016
Had u been there at the airport, you could share some selfies with victims, shame on u @CelinaJaitly
Jaitly didn't take too kindly to the harsh comments and lashed out at a critic.
Thank you very much for pointing out my devious, vicious intentions. Duly noted! Apologies for the inconvenience. https://t.co/l2IbuTsH2A
— Celina Jaitly (@CelinaJaitly) June 29, 2016