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Istanbul nightclub attack: police hunt gunman who killed 39 on New Year's Eve – live Istanbul nightclub attack: police hunt gunman who killed 39 on New Year's Eve – live
(35 minutes later)
8.42am GMT
08:42
I am going to hand over the blog now to my colleague, Haroon Siddique. Many thanks to our readers and I hope the blog has proved useful. There are still many details yet to emerge about the motivation behind the attack, the whereabouts of the assailant(s) and of course the details of the victims.
Below is a full report of where things stand at the moment.
8.30am GMT
08:30
Mehmet Dag, 22, was passing by the club at the time of the shooting. He says he saw the suspect shoot at a police officer and a bystander outside, before going in.
“I was in shock at the scene,” he said. “Once he went in, we don’t know what happened. There were gun sounds and after two minutes, the sound of an explosion.”
8.21am GMT8.21am GMT
08:2108:21
Israel’s foreign ministry has said that an Israeli woman was injured in the attack, and that another is missing.Israel’s foreign ministry has said that an Israeli woman was injured in the attack, and that another is missing.
“An Israeli woman was injured and hospitalised, but her life is not in danger, while there is no news of a second Israeli woman who was in the nightclub at the time of the attack,” a ministry spokesman told AFP.“An Israeli woman was injured and hospitalised, but her life is not in danger, while there is no news of a second Israeli woman who was in the nightclub at the time of the attack,” a ministry spokesman told AFP.
Turkey is a popular tourist destination for Israelis, with tens of thousands visiting each year.Turkey is a popular tourist destination for Israelis, with tens of thousands visiting each year.
8.17am GMT8.17am GMT
08:1708:17
At least 39 people have been killed, and 69 injured, in an Istanbul nightclub after a gunman reportedly dressed as Father Christmas entered and began firing at random during a New Year’s Eve celebration.At least 39 people have been killed, and 69 injured, in an Istanbul nightclub after a gunman reportedly dressed as Father Christmas entered and began firing at random during a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Interior minister Süleyman Soylu said that of 21 victims identified so far, 15 were foreign nationals.Interior minister Süleyman Soylu said that of 21 victims identified so far, 15 were foreign nationals.
Soylu said the gunman was still on the run, contrary to earlier statements by authorities that the assailant had been killed.Soylu said the gunman was still on the run, contrary to earlier statements by authorities that the assailant had been killed.
The city’s governor, Vasip Sahin, said the attacker, armed with a long-barrelled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian outside the Reina club at about 1.45am before moving inside.The city’s governor, Vasip Sahin, said the attacker, armed with a long-barrelled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian outside the Reina club at about 1.45am before moving inside.
Sahin described it as a “terror attack” but gave no further details. There have not yet been any claims of responsibility.Sahin described it as a “terror attack” but gave no further details. There have not yet been any claims of responsibility.
It is thought up to 600 people were inside the club, an exclusive hotspot popular with tourists and local residents that sits on the bank of the eastern side of the Bosphorus.It is thought up to 600 people were inside the club, an exclusive hotspot popular with tourists and local residents that sits on the bank of the eastern side of the Bosphorus.
Witnesses reported a rush for the exits, bodies lying on the floor and people jumping into the river to escape the gunman. The club’s owner said extra security measures had been brought in in the past 10 days after US intelligence reports suggested a possible attack.Witnesses reported a rush for the exits, bodies lying on the floor and people jumping into the river to escape the gunman. The club’s owner said extra security measures had been brought in in the past 10 days after US intelligence reports suggested a possible attack.
Security has been increased across the city following the mass shooting in the district of Ortakoy. The US embassy has told its citizens to avoid the area and urged them to contact relatives to let them know they are safe.Security has been increased across the city following the mass shooting in the district of Ortakoy. The US embassy has told its citizens to avoid the area and urged them to contact relatives to let them know they are safe.
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been quoted by state-run news agency Anadolu as expressing his “deep sadness”.The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been quoted by state-run news agency Anadolu as expressing his “deep sadness”.
Mehmet Görmez, Turkey’s most senior cleric, has condemned the attack as “savagery” and a “massacre that no Muslim conscience can accept”.Mehmet Görmez, Turkey’s most senior cleric, has condemned the attack as “savagery” and a “massacre that no Muslim conscience can accept”.
8.11am GMT8.11am GMT
08:1108:11
Mehmet Görmez, Turkey’s most senior cleric, has condemned the attack as “savagery, horrendous”.Mehmet Görmez, Turkey’s most senior cleric, has condemned the attack as “savagery, horrendous”.
“The action is a murder and a massacre,” he said. “Terror can never be accepted no matter by who or against whom it is committed.”“The action is a murder and a massacre,” he said. “Terror can never be accepted no matter by who or against whom it is committed.”
The only nuance, which differentiates the terrorist action committed tonight from others, is that it aims to divide the nation and confront people from differnet lifestyles by inciting them.The only nuance, which differentiates the terrorist action committed tonight from others, is that it aims to divide the nation and confront people from differnet lifestyles by inciting them.
Today is the day to unite as the whole national against any kind of terror.Today is the day to unite as the whole national against any kind of terror.
I strongly condemn the terrorists who committed this massacre that no Muslim conscience can accept. I wish mercy from Allah for the ones who lost their lives in the attack and speedy recovery for the injured.I strongly condemn the terrorists who committed this massacre that no Muslim conscience can accept. I wish mercy from Allah for the ones who lost their lives in the attack and speedy recovery for the injured.
7.28am GMT7.28am GMT
07:2807:28
Justice minister Bekir Bozdağ issued a statement earlier, saying: “No terrorist attack will break our unity.”Justice minister Bekir Bozdağ issued a statement earlier, saying: “No terrorist attack will break our unity.”
4)Hiçbir terör saldırısı;birliğimizi bozamayacak,kardeşliğimizi yok edemeyecek,Türkiye'nin terörle etkin mücadelesini zaafa uğraşamayacaktır4)Hiçbir terör saldırısı;birliğimizi bozamayacak,kardeşliğimizi yok edemeyecek,Türkiye'nin terörle etkin mücadelesini zaafa uğraşamayacaktır
7.24am GMT7.24am GMT
07:2407:24
Koçarslan also mentions that the attacker was using “Kalashnikovs”. This would support other witness accounts that the gunman was using multiple weapons.Koçarslan also mentions that the attacker was using “Kalashnikovs”. This would support other witness accounts that the gunman was using multiple weapons.
It is also the first detail that has emerged about the type of firearm used, other than Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin’s reference to the use of “a long-barrelled weapon”.It is also the first detail that has emerged about the type of firearm used, other than Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin’s reference to the use of “a long-barrelled weapon”.
7.18am GMT7.18am GMT
07:1807:18
Turkish newspaper Hürriyet has quoted Mehmet Koçarslan, the owner of the Reina nightclub where the attack took place, as saying security measures had been brought in over the past 10 days after US intelligence reports suggested a possible attack.Turkish newspaper Hürriyet has quoted Mehmet Koçarslan, the owner of the Reina nightclub where the attack took place, as saying security measures had been brought in over the past 10 days after US intelligence reports suggested a possible attack.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.20am GMTat 7.20am GMT
7.08am GMT7.08am GMT
07:0807:08
A bit more background on Istanbul’s Reina club. The place is popular with Turkey’s young, secular elite and is one of the most prestigious nightspots in the city.A bit more background on Istanbul’s Reina club. The place is popular with Turkey’s young, secular elite and is one of the most prestigious nightspots in the city.
It is situated on the shores of the Bosphorus on the European side of the city and has a terrace that goes down to the water’s edge. The most wealthy patrons arrive in boats to enjoy its several restaurants and dancefloors. Its parties are well known on the social circuit.It is situated on the shores of the Bosphorus on the European side of the city and has a terrace that goes down to the water’s edge. The most wealthy patrons arrive in boats to enjoy its several restaurants and dancefloors. Its parties are well known on the social circuit.
6.58am GMT6.58am GMT
06:5806:58
Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has issued his condolences. The US state department made in its response earlier a specific reference to Turkey as “our Nato ally” in the fight against terrorism.Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has issued his condolences. The US state department made in its response earlier a specific reference to Turkey as “our Nato ally” in the fight against terrorism.
Tragic start to 2017 in #Istanbul. My thoughts are w/ those affected by the attack on people celebrating New Year and w/ the Turkish people.Tragic start to 2017 in #Istanbul. My thoughts are w/ those affected by the attack on people celebrating New Year and w/ the Turkish people.
6.51am GMT6.51am GMT
06:5106:51
The health minister, Recep Akdağ, has also spoken, indicating four of the 69 injured are in a “very serious condition” and that the wounded also included several foreigners.The health minister, Recep Akdağ, has also spoken, indicating four of the 69 injured are in a “very serious condition” and that the wounded also included several foreigners.
6.46am GMT6.46am GMT
06:4606:46
Turkey’s interior minister has lowered the number of foreign nationals killed to 15. However, it is worth noting that there are still more than a dozen victims who have yet to be identified.Turkey’s interior minister has lowered the number of foreign nationals killed to 15. However, it is worth noting that there are still more than a dozen victims who have yet to be identified.
AP quotes Süleyman Soylu as saying of the five Turkish fatalities identified so far, three or four were believed to be employees working at the club. He says:AP quotes Süleyman Soylu as saying of the five Turkish fatalities identified so far, three or four were believed to be employees working at the club. He says:
This was a massacre, a truly inhuman savagery.This was a massacre, a truly inhuman savagery.
He said it was believed the attacker left the club wearing different clothing to those in which he entered the club. It has been reported the attacker was wearing a Father Christmas outfit.He said it was believed the attacker left the club wearing different clothing to those in which he entered the club. It has been reported the attacker was wearing a Father Christmas outfit.
Soylu said the attacker was believed to have been acting alone. Previous witness reports have suggested there might have been more than one attacker. Authorities earlier said the gunman was killed on site, so details remain unclear, about eight hours after the attack took place.Soylu said the attacker was believed to have been acting alone. Previous witness reports have suggested there might have been more than one attacker. Authorities earlier said the gunman was killed on site, so details remain unclear, about eight hours after the attack took place.
6.26am GMT6.26am GMT
06:2606:26
The UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Office and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have said they are working to determine if any of their citizens are involved in Sunday morning’s attack.The UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Office and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have said they are working to determine if any of their citizens are involved in Sunday morning’s attack.
6.18am GMT6.18am GMT
06:1806:18
At least 39 people have been killed, and 69 injured, in an Istanbul nightclub after a gunman reportedly dressed as Father Christmas entered and began firing at random during a New Year’s Eve celebration.At least 39 people have been killed, and 69 injured, in an Istanbul nightclub after a gunman reportedly dressed as Father Christmas entered and began firing at random during a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Interior minister Süleyman Soylu said that of 21 victims identified so far, 16 were foreign nationals.Interior minister Süleyman Soylu said that of 21 victims identified so far, 16 were foreign nationals.
Soylu said the gunman was still on the run, contrary to earlier statements by authorities that the gunman had been killed.Soylu said the gunman was still on the run, contrary to earlier statements by authorities that the gunman had been killed.
The city’s governor, Vasip Sahin, said the attacker, armed with a long-barrelled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian outside the Reina club at about 1.45am before moving inside.The city’s governor, Vasip Sahin, said the attacker, armed with a long-barrelled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian outside the Reina club at about 1.45am before moving inside.
Sahin described it as a “terror attack” but gave no further details. There have not yet been any claims of responsibility.Sahin described it as a “terror attack” but gave no further details. There have not yet been any claims of responsibility.
It is thought up to 600 people were inside the club, an exclusive hotspot popular with tourists and local residents that sits on the bank of the eastern side of the Bosphorus.It is thought up to 600 people were inside the club, an exclusive hotspot popular with tourists and local residents that sits on the bank of the eastern side of the Bosphorus.
Witnesses reported a rush for the exits, bodies lying on the floor and people jumping into the river to escape the gunman.Witnesses reported a rush for the exits, bodies lying on the floor and people jumping into the river to escape the gunman.
Security has been increased across the city following the attack in the district of Ortakoy. The US embassy has told its citizens to avoid the area and urged them to contact relatives to let them know they are safe.Security has been increased across the city following the attack in the district of Ortakoy. The US embassy has told its citizens to avoid the area and urged them to contact relatives to let them know they are safe.
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been quoted by state-run news agency Anadolu as expressing his “deep sadness” over the attackThe Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been quoted by state-run news agency Anadolu as expressing his “deep sadness” over the attack
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.40am GMTat 6.40am GMT
5.58am GMT5.58am GMT
05:5805:58
More quotes have come through from the interior minister, Süleyman Soylu:More quotes have come through from the interior minister, Süleyman Soylu:
Our security forces have started the necessary operations. God willing he will be caught in a short period of time.Our security forces have started the necessary operations. God willing he will be caught in a short period of time.