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Istanbul nightclub attack: Erdoğan vows to fight terror 'to the end' after gunman kills 39 – live Istanbul nightclub attack: Erdoğan vows to fight terror 'to the end' after gunman kills 39 – live
(35 minutes later)
10.54am GMT
10:54
The president of the European Commission has sent his condolences to Turkey.
Statement by @JunckerEU to @RT_Erdogan on the #terror attack in #Istanbul➡️https://t.co/ZdESfoGmY1 #Reina #Reinanightclub pic.twitter.com/5xHvFQBk6y
10.35am GMT10.35am GMT
10:3510:35
The UK government has updated its travel advice for Turkey in the wake of the attack.The UK government has updated its travel advice for Turkey in the wake of the attack.
It says:It says:
On 1 January 2017, there was an attack on the Reina nightclub in Ortakoy, Istanbul, causing a large number of casualties. There is an ongoing police operation in Istanbul as a result of the attack, and the attacker may still be at large. You should exercise vigilance and caution at this time, and follow the advice and instructions of the security authorities.On 1 January 2017, there was an attack on the Reina nightclub in Ortakoy, Istanbul, causing a large number of casualties. There is an ongoing police operation in Istanbul as a result of the attack, and the attacker may still be at large. You should exercise vigilance and caution at this time, and follow the advice and instructions of the security authorities.
10.26am GMT10.26am GMT
10:2610:26
Turkish website the Daily Sabah reports that a man killed in the attack at Reina nightclub had survived twin bombings outside a football stadium in Istanbul on 10 December, which killed 45 people.Turkish website the Daily Sabah reports that a man killed in the attack at Reina nightclub had survived twin bombings outside a football stadium in Istanbul on 10 December, which killed 45 people.
It says that Fatih Çakmak was on duty at the nightclub during the New Year celebrations and was also working at the match between Beşiktaş and Bursaspor last month. He escaped the bombing, which occurred after the match ended, unharmed, according to the Daily Sabah only to die in last night’s attack.It says that Fatih Çakmak was on duty at the nightclub during the New Year celebrations and was also working at the match between Beşiktaş and Bursaspor last month. He escaped the bombing, which occurred after the match ended, unharmed, according to the Daily Sabah only to die in last night’s attack.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.29am GMTat 10.29am GMT
10.07am GMT10.07am GMT
10:0710:07
Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth has tweeted a map showing the number of deaths from terrorist attacks in Turkey over the past 18 months (Istanbul is in the north-west corner):Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth has tweeted a map showing the number of deaths from terrorist attacks in Turkey over the past 18 months (Istanbul is in the north-west corner):
The horrifying toll of terrorist attacks in Turkey over past year and a half. https://t.co/qG3II78IUM pic.twitter.com/uzwXxhSh2LThe horrifying toll of terrorist attacks in Turkey over past year and a half. https://t.co/qG3II78IUM pic.twitter.com/uzwXxhSh2L
10.00am GMT10.00am GMT
10:0010:00
Unsurprisingly, there is still a heavy police presence at the scene of the atrocity.Unsurprisingly, there is still a heavy police presence at the scene of the atrocity.
#Istanbul terror attack: Road to #Reina nightclub blocked. Turkish flag hanging on building. The mood very grim. A terrible start to 2017 pic.twitter.com/AiK799dtTN#Istanbul terror attack: Road to #Reina nightclub blocked. Turkish flag hanging on building. The mood very grim. A terrible start to 2017 pic.twitter.com/AiK799dtTN
9.33am GMT9.33am GMT
09:3309:33
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has joined in the international condemnation of the attack in Turkey.The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has joined in the international condemnation of the attack in Turkey.
He said:He said:
“It is hard to imagine a more cynical crime than the murder of innocent civilians in the midst of New Year’s holiday. But the terrorists are absolutely alien to the concept of human morality. Our common duty is to respond decisively to the terrorist aggression.”“It is hard to imagine a more cynical crime than the murder of innocent civilians in the midst of New Year’s holiday. But the terrorists are absolutely alien to the concept of human morality. Our common duty is to respond decisively to the terrorist aggression.”
9.20am GMT9.20am GMT
09:2009:20
Turkey will fight terrorism 'to the end' - ErdoğanTurkey will fight terrorism 'to the end' - Erdoğan
President Tayyip Erdoğan has vowed not to rest in the fight against all forms of terrorism. In a written statement, he said:President Tayyip Erdoğan has vowed not to rest in the fight against all forms of terrorism. In a written statement, he said:
“As a nation, we will fight to the end against not just the armed attacks of terror groups and the forces behind them, but also against their economic, political and social attacks.“As a nation, we will fight to the end against not just the armed attacks of terror groups and the forces behind them, but also against their economic, political and social attacks.
They are trying to create chaos, demoralise our people, and destabilise our country with abominable attacks which target civilians ... We will retain our cool-headedness as a nation, standing more closely together, and we will never give ground to such dirty games.”They are trying to create chaos, demoralise our people, and destabilise our country with abominable attacks which target civilians ... We will retain our cool-headedness as a nation, standing more closely together, and we will never give ground to such dirty games.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.20am GMTat 9.20am GMT
9.06am GMT9.06am GMT
09:0609:06
There has been condemnation of the attack from around the world.There has been condemnation of the attack from around the world.
This is from the UK foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, who has Turkish ancestry but has lampooned President Erdoğan in the pastThis is from the UK foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, who has Turkish ancestry but has lampooned President Erdoğan in the past
Thoughts with #Turkey after cowardly act of terrorism in #Istanbul nightclub attack. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Turkish friendsThoughts with #Turkey after cowardly act of terrorism in #Istanbul nightclub attack. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Turkish friends
The foreign ministry of neighbouring Greece said:The foreign ministry of neighbouring Greece said:
We unequivocally condemn the barbaric terrorist attack with numerous casualties that occurred in the nightclub in Istanbul. We express our full solidarity with the Turkish people and convey heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes of a speedy recovery to the injured.We unequivocally condemn the barbaric terrorist attack with numerous casualties that occurred in the nightclub in Istanbul. We express our full solidarity with the Turkish people and convey heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes of a speedy recovery to the injured.
And this is from Israel, which has already said that an Israeli woman was injured in the attack and that another is missing.And this is from Israel, which has already said that an Israeli woman was injured in the attack and that another is missing.
Our heart goes out to families & friends of the #Istanbul terror victims. Life will overcome terror. Light will overcome darkness. #ReinaOur heart goes out to families & friends of the #Istanbul terror victims. Life will overcome terror. Light will overcome darkness. #Reina
8.42am GMT8.42am GMT
08:4208:42
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.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.Below is a full report of where things stand at the moment.
8.30am GMT8.30am GMT
08:3008:30
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.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.”“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.