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Istanbul Reina nightclub attack 'leaves 39 dead' Istanbul new year Reina nightclub attack 'leaves 39 dead'
(about 3 hours later)
At least 39 people, including 16 foreigners, have died in an attack on a nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey's interior minister has said. At least 39 people, including at least 15 foreigners, have been killed in an attack on a nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey's interior minister says.
Suleyman Soylu also revealed police were still hunting for the "terrorist" who attacked the Reina nightclub at about 01:30 local time (22:30 GMT). A gunman opened fire in Reina nightclub at about 01:30 local time (22:30 GMT), as revellers marked the new year.
For hours after the attack the authorities had said nothing about the whereabouts of the assailant. Suleyman Soylu said efforts were continuing to find the attacker, who was believed to have acted alone.
Another 69 people were being treated in hospital, the minister added. At least 69 people were being treated in hospital, the minister added. Four were said to be in a serious condition.
"The search for the terrorist continues... I hope (the attacker) will be captured quickly, God willing," Mr Soylu said. "A manhunt for the terrorist is under way. Police have launched operations. We hope the attacker will be captured soon," he said.
The Turkish authorities have imposed a media blackout on coverage of the attack, but it does not extend to official statements. Only 21 of the victims had been identified, he said. Fifteen or 16 were foreigners, he said, and at least three of the Turkish victims may have been employees at the club.
Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin earlier revealed a police officer had died in the attack. "This was a massacre, a truly inhuman savagery,'' he said.
One attacker was involved, the governor said, while CNN Turk reported he was dressed in a Santa Claus costume. Media reports suggest the attacker may have been wearing a Santa Claus outfit. The minister did not confirm this but said the assailant was believed to have left the club wearing "different clothing".
"A terrorist with a long-range weapon ... brutally and savagely carried out this incident by firing bullets on innocent people who were there solely to celebrate the New Year and have fun," Mr Sahin told reporters at the scene of the upmarket Reina nightclub in the the Ortakoy area on the banks of Bosphorus. CCTV images said to be from Reina that are circulating on social media appear to show a man dressed in white overalls and a white hat. There has been no official comment on this footage.
The club was popular not only with Turks, but with foreigners as well, according to the BBC's Selin Girit in Istanbul. Reina nightclub, in the the Ortakoy area of Istanbul, is an upscale venue on the banks of Bosphorus.
She added some eyewitnesses spoke of there being not one but two attackers. Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin said the attacker killed a policeman and a civilian outside the club before entering and opening fire.
There were reportedly as many as 700 people in the nightclub at the time of the attack, some of whom have jumped into the water to escape. "Before I could understand what was happening, my husband fell on top me,'' the Associated Press news agency quoted Sinem Uyanik, who was inside the club, as saying.
Dogan news agency reported that some witnesses claimed the attackers were "speaking Arabic" while Turkish television channel NTV said special force police officers were searching the nightclub. "I had to lift several bodies from (on) top of me before I could get out. It was frightening.''
There were reportedly as many as 700 people in the nightclub at the time of the attack, some of whom jumped into the water to escape.
The Turkish authorities have imposed a media blackout on coverage of the attack, citing security and public order concerns, but it does not extend to official statements.
Some media reports spoke of more than one attacker and Dogan news agency reported that some witnesses claimed the attackers were "speaking Arabic", but there is no confirmation of this.
US President Barack Obama, who is on holiday in Hawaii, was among the first international leaders to make a statement after being briefed by his team.US President Barack Obama, who is on holiday in Hawaii, was among the first international leaders to make a statement after being briefed by his team.
"The president expressed condolences for the innocent lives lost, directed his team to offer appropriate assistance to the Turkish authorities, as necessary, and keep him updated as warranted," White House spokesman Eric Schultz said in a statement."The president expressed condolences for the innocent lives lost, directed his team to offer appropriate assistance to the Turkish authorities, as necessary, and keep him updated as warranted," White House spokesman Eric Schultz said in a statement.
The Turkish government has ordered a temporary media blackout in the wake of the attack, citing security and public order concerns.
This is not the first time such an order has been made.
Istanbul was already on high alert with some 17,000 police officers on duty in the city, following a string of terror attacks in recent months.Istanbul was already on high alert with some 17,000 police officers on duty in the city, following a string of terror attacks in recent months.
Many were carried out by so-called Islamic State (IS) or Kurdish militants.Many were carried out by so-called Islamic State (IS) or Kurdish militants.
Less than a fortnight ago, the Russian ambassador, Andrei Karlov, was shot dead by off-duty Turkish policeman Mevlut Mert Altintas as he gave a speech in the capital Ankara in December. Less than a fortnight ago, Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov was shot dead by off-duty Turkish policeman Mevlut Mert Altintas as he gave a speech in the capital Ankara.
After the shooting, the killer shouted the murder was in revenge for Russian involvement in the conflict in the Syrian city of Aleppo.After the shooting, the killer shouted the murder was in revenge for Russian involvement in the conflict in the Syrian city of Aleppo.
Deadly attacks in Turkey in 2016Deadly attacks in Turkey in 2016
10 December: Twin bomb attack outside a football stadium in Istanbul kills 44 people, Kurdish militant group claims responsibility10 December: Twin bomb attack outside a football stadium in Istanbul kills 44 people, Kurdish militant group claims responsibility
20 August: Bomb attack on wedding party in Gaziantep kills at least 30 people, IS suspected20 August: Bomb attack on wedding party in Gaziantep kills at least 30 people, IS suspected
30 July: 35 Kurdish fighters try to storm a military base and are killed by the Turkish army30 July: 35 Kurdish fighters try to storm a military base and are killed by the Turkish army
28 June: A gun and bomb attack on Ataturk airport in Istanbul kills 41 people, in an attack blamed on IS militants28 June: A gun and bomb attack on Ataturk airport in Istanbul kills 41 people, in an attack blamed on IS militants
13 March: 37 people are killed by Kurdish militants in a suicide car bombing in Ankara13 March: 37 people are killed by Kurdish militants in a suicide car bombing in Ankara
17 February: 28 people die in an attack on a military convoy in Ankara17 February: 28 people die in an attack on a military convoy in Ankara