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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/jan/01/istanbul-nightclub-attack-dozens-killed-new-years-eve-mass-shooting-live-updates
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Istanbul nightclub attack: at least 35 killed in New Year's Eve mass shooting – live updates | Istanbul nightclub attack: at least 35 killed in New Year's Eve mass shooting – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.25am GMT | |
| 02:25 | |
| Witness Sinem Uyanik has recounted her ordeal. She was inside the club and her husband, Lutfu Uyanik, was wounded in the attack. | |
| “Before I could understand what was happening, my husband fell on top me,” she said outside Istanbul’s Sisli hospital. “I had to lift several bodies from on top of me before I could get out.” | |
| 2.22am GMT | |
| 02:22 | |
| Turkey has been hit by a string of attacks in recent months, blamed on Kurdish militants and Islamic State jihadists. | |
| On December 10, 44 people were killed in a double bombing in Istanbul after a football match hosted by top side Besiktas. That attack, which targeted a police bus, was claimed by the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) seen as a radical offshoot of the PKK. | |
| A week later, 14 Turkish soldiers were killed and dozens more wounded in a suicide car bombing blamed on Kurdish militants targeting off-duty conscripts also claimed by the TAK. | |
| In June, 47 people were killed in a triple suicide bombing and gun attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport, with authorities blaming Isis. | |
| Another 57 people, 34 of them children, were killed in August in a suicide attack by an Isis-linked bomber at a Kurdish wedding in the southeastern city of Gaziantep. | |
| 2.14am GMT | |
| 02:14 | |
| The US state department has strongly condemned the attack. | |
| Deputy spokesman Mark Toner said: “We stand in solidarity with our Nato ally Turkey in combating the ongoing threat of terrorism. Sadly, this heinous attack is only the latest effort to kill and maim innocent civilians. These attacks only reinforce our determination to work with the government of Turkey to counter the scourge of terrorism.” | |
| 2.10am GMT | |
| 02:10 | |
| US president Barack Obama, who is on holiday Hawaii, has expressed his condolences and offered help to Turkish authorities. | |
| 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.” | |
| 2.01am GMT | |
| 02:01 | |
| Attacker is dead, says government official | |
| Government officials have said there was one attacker and that he has been killed. Our reporter says police can be seen leaving the scene now, and emergency services activity is beginning to subside, which might suggest the immediate threat is over. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.02am GMT | |
| 1.53am GMT | 1.53am GMT |
| 01:53 | 01:53 |
| Here is an image from 2015 of the Reina club, where the shooting took place. | Here is an image from 2015 of the Reina club, where the shooting took place. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.53am GMT | at 1.53am GMT |
| 1.49am GMT | 1.49am GMT |
| 01:49 | 01:49 |
| NTV television is reporting the assailant may still be inside the nightclub. This is an unconfirmed report. Armed police in riot gear, backed up by armoured vehicle, have sealed off the area. | NTV television is reporting the assailant may still be inside the nightclub. This is an unconfirmed report. Armed police in riot gear, backed up by armoured vehicle, have sealed off the area. |
| 1.45am GMT | 1.45am GMT |
| 01:45 | 01:45 |
| As many as 600 people were thought to have been in the club when the attack happened, at about 1.15am, broadcaster CNN Turk has reported. Some people jumped into the waters of the Bosphorus to escape and were being rescued by police. | As many as 600 people were thought to have been in the club when the attack happened, at about 1.15am, broadcaster CNN Turk has reported. Some people jumped into the waters of the Bosphorus to escape and were being rescued by police. |
| 1.41am GMT | 1.41am GMT |
| 01:41 | 01:41 |
| 1.39am GMT | 1.39am GMT |
| 01:39 | 01:39 |
| Istanbul’s governor, Vasip Sahin, told reporters at the scene: “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.” | Istanbul’s governor, Vasip Sahin, told reporters at the scene: “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.” |
| 1.36am GMT | 1.36am GMT |
| 01:36 | 01:36 |
| Kareem has spoken to a witness who was inside the club at the time. He described the rush for the exits after someone came in and began firing multiple firearms. | Kareem has spoken to a witness who was inside the club at the time. He described the rush for the exits after someone came in and began firing multiple firearms. |
| A brother of one of the workers inside Reina is waiting outside in the rain with his wife for any news. His brother lost his phone and they have been unable so far to get in touch. | A brother of one of the workers inside Reina is waiting outside in the rain with his wife for any news. His brother lost his phone and they have been unable so far to get in touch. |
| We hope he is fine. My sister called me with the news that there was an attack and we put on our clothes and rushed here. It was really hard because no taxis wanted to go here. | We hope he is fine. My sister called me with the news that there was an attack and we put on our clothes and rushed here. It was really hard because no taxis wanted to go here. |
| 1.26am GMT | 1.26am GMT |
| 01:26 | 01:26 |
| Police arrived almost instantaneously after the attack began because the police station is just across the road from the club. The Reina is one of Istanbul’s best-known clubs, situated on the Bosphorus right under one of the bridges linking the European and Asian sides. | Police arrived almost instantaneously after the attack began because the police station is just across the road from the club. The Reina is one of Istanbul’s best-known clubs, situated on the Bosphorus right under one of the bridges linking the European and Asian sides. |
| 1.23am GMT | 1.23am GMT |
| 01:23 | 01:23 |
| Footage has emerged that reportedly shows the assailant dressed as Santa. Details however are still far from clear. Earlier reports said there were two attackers. | Footage has emerged that reportedly shows the assailant dressed as Santa. Details however are still far from clear. Earlier reports said there were two attackers. |
| Witnesses are in the police station giving testimony at the moment so more details should soon emerge. It is just coming up to 4.30am in Istanbul. | Witnesses are in the police station giving testimony at the moment so more details should soon emerge. It is just coming up to 4.30am in Istanbul. |
| 1.18am GMT | 1.18am GMT |
| 01:18 | 01:18 |
| 1.17am GMT | 1.17am GMT |
| 01:17 | 01:17 |
| Our Middle East reporter, Kareem Shaheen, is at the scene of the attack. Police have sealed off the roads around the site as families arrive, seeking news of loved ones who were working at the club or visiting. There are a lot of tears. One woman rushed here because her nephew works as a bartender at the Reina club. She has finally just reached him on the phone. | Our Middle East reporter, Kareem Shaheen, is at the scene of the attack. Police have sealed off the roads around the site as families arrive, seeking news of loved ones who were working at the club or visiting. There are a lot of tears. One woman rushed here because her nephew works as a bartender at the Reina club. She has finally just reached him on the phone. |
| 1.08am GMT | 1.08am GMT |
| 01:08 | 01:08 |
| Dozens of partygoers shot dead in Turkey nightclub | Dozens of partygoers shot dead in Turkey nightclub |
| At least 35 people have been killed in a gun attack at a nightclub in Istanbul, the city’s governor has said. Vasip Sahin said 40 other people were wounded in the assault which took place in the early hours of Sunday during a New Year’s Eve celebration. | At least 35 people have been killed in a gun attack at a nightclub in Istanbul, the city’s governor has said. Vasip Sahin said 40 other people were wounded in the assault which took place in the early hours of Sunday during a New Year’s Eve celebration. |
| Sahin said the incident was a “terror attack” without saying who might have carried it out. The assailant shot a police officer and a civilian as he entered the club in the Ortakoy district before opening fire inside the building, Sahin said. | Sahin said the incident was a “terror attack” without saying who might have carried it out. The assailant shot a police officer and a civilian as he entered the club in the Ortakoy district before opening fire inside the building, Sahin said. |
| There are many details that are still unclear, we will bring your further details as they come to light. | There are many details that are still unclear, we will bring your further details as they come to light. |