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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)
1.04pm GMT
13:04
The family of a Lebanese citizen who went missing after an attack in a nightclub in Istanbul said they have received news he was among those killed, Lebanon’s New TV reported. The channel said the family had been officially informed of Elias Wardini’s death.
12.59pm GMT
12:59
These pictures show flowers left at the scene of the attack.
12.56pm GMT
12:56
Kareem Shaheen
Some of the marginal newspapers with a very conservative following like Akit and Milli Gazete published front page features yesterday on NYE celebrations. In Milli the headline was: “This is the last warning, don’t celebrate”.
In Akit, the front page said “Down with your civilisation”, with pictures side by side of people in Syria and people partying.
An influential CHP deputy from Istanbul, Gursel Tekin, said at the hospital:
In the coming days we should be talking about this - in the last week there were so many messages which can damage our social peace but none of these messages were investigated. Those responsible should resign.
Günlerdir yılbaşı kutlamalarını hedef gösteren #Akit İstanbul #Reina katliamı sonrası bu manşetle çıktı: Medeniyetiniz batsın. pic.twitter.com/jF5TlFcSe5
12.54pm GMT
12:54
This is a list of terrorist attacks in Turkey since the summer of 2015, via the New York Times:
List of terrorist attacks in Turkey since summer 2015, including 5 on Istanbul over the past year. Source: New York Times pic.twitter.com/YLPtKeDIhi
12.46pm GMT
12:46
Kareem Shaheen
This is the scene at Sisli Etfal hospital where wounded and survivors were taken last night.
There are few families as the nightclub is a known destination for foreigners, so many of the casualties do nOt have family here. Many roads in the city are closed off as they search for the attackers.
There are two foreigners at the hospital who are wounded and in a critical condition. There is also a wounded Turkish man who was shot in his spine and is getting psychological support and treatment.
Opposition CHP lawmaker Akif Hamzacebe described the assault as an “attack on a way of life” and and said it was “savage”.“The aim is to plant seeds of hatred among society,” he said. “We do not want to live with the acceptance of terror and the state should teach a lesson to the terrorist organisations.”
It is important to note that many conservatives prior to the attack were decrying the sinfulness of NYE celebrations and so some people see the attack as notable from a cultural point of view, hence the comment about it being an attack on a way of life, almost an attack on Turkey’s secular character.
An MHP lawmaker who visited the hospital described the dead as “martyrs”.“Those who committed this action against the stability of the Turkish state will drown in their own blood,” he said.
12.41pm GMT
12:41
The Reina nightclub has long been a magnet to the rich and famous, my colleague Robert Booth writes:
Open since 2002, the venue on the banks of the Bosphorus has earned a reputation as the place to be seen among Turkey’s young, secular elite who recline on its white banquettes and are served ice buckets of drinks by aproned waiters.
It attracts footballers from the top Turkish sides and stars from the country’s popular soap operas, as well as tourists and businesspeople from around the world. Daniel Craig, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Watts and Jon Bon Jovi are among the celebrities named as having been guests at the club, according to GC Prive, a London wealth management company that recommends the venue to its clients.
12.38pm GMT
12:38
The funeral of Ayhan Arik, one of the victims of the attack at the Reina nightclub, has been taking place in Istanbul. Arik reportedly drove tourists to the club. Islamic custom is to bury people as soon as possible after their death.
12.31pm GMT
12:31
This video shows bullets ricocheting outside the Reina nightclub and a man who appears to be the attacker. It suggests that reports that the attacker was wearing a Santa Claus suit are wrong, as he appears to be dressed all in black.
Bullets ricochet outside #Reina nightclub where dozens were killed by gunman at New Year's Eve party in Istanbulhttps://t.co/WRiSlgmTev pic.twitter.com/Bty3lfncxT
12.22pm GMT12.22pm GMT
12:2212:22
A number of people have said that the attack on the nightclub came amid criticism in Turkey of New Year’s celebrations from some who consider them incompatible with Islam.A number of people have said that the attack on the nightclub came amid criticism in Turkey of New Year’s celebrations from some who consider them incompatible with Islam.
I condemn the terrorists who murdered innocents in #Reina AND the fanatics who have been spreading #hatespeech against #NewYear celebrationsI condemn the terrorists who murdered innocents in #Reina AND the fanatics who have been spreading #hatespeech against #NewYear celebrations
After #Reina attack, HDP expresses worry due to politicians targeting New Year celebrations & Religious Directorate calling it incompatible.After #Reina attack, HDP expresses worry due to politicians targeting New Year celebrations & Religious Directorate calling it incompatible.
A banner in #Istanbul few days ago: 'We are Muslims. No to New Years Eve and Christmas celebrations.' #Reina pic.twitter.com/HKamfr3SyuA banner in #Istanbul few days ago: 'We are Muslims. No to New Years Eve and Christmas celebrations.' #Reina pic.twitter.com/HKamfr3Syu
12.08pm GMT12.08pm GMT
12:0812:08
In his traditional New Year address, Pope Francis has urged leaders to work together to fight the “plague of terrorism” in the wake of events in Turkey.In his traditional New Year address, Pope Francis has urged leaders to work together to fight the “plague of terrorism” in the wake of events in Turkey.
Speaking to 50,000 people in St. Peter’s Square, Francis departed from his prepared text to condemn the Istanbul nightclub attack that killed at least 39 people. He said:Speaking to 50,000 people in St. Peter’s Square, Francis departed from his prepared text to condemn the Istanbul nightclub attack that killed at least 39 people. He said:
Unfortunately, violence has stricken even in this night of good wishes and hope. Pained, I express my closeness to the Turkish people. I pray for the many victims and for the wounded and for the entire nation in mourning.Unfortunately, violence has stricken even in this night of good wishes and hope. Pained, I express my closeness to the Turkish people. I pray for the many victims and for the wounded and for the entire nation in mourning.
I ask the Lord to sustain all men of good will to courageously roll up their sleeves to confront the plague of terrorism and this stain of blood that is covering the world with a shadow of fear and a sense of loss.I ask the Lord to sustain all men of good will to courageously roll up their sleeves to confront the plague of terrorism and this stain of blood that is covering the world with a shadow of fear and a sense of loss.
11.54am GMT11.54am GMT
11:5411:54
The pro-Kurdish HDP, Turkey’s third largest party, has condemned the Istanbul attack:The pro-Kurdish HDP, Turkey’s third largest party, has condemned the Istanbul attack:
Pro-Kurdish #HDP party condemns Istanbul #Reina nightclub attack, calling it an attack made with enmity against humanity. https://t.co/CvJx23NSfrPro-Kurdish #HDP party condemns Istanbul #Reina nightclub attack, calling it an attack made with enmity against humanity. https://t.co/CvJx23NSfr
11.51am GMT11.51am GMT
11:5111:51
The US embassy in Turkey has sought to clarify the details of a travel warning it issued on 22 December, saying “it had no information about threats to specific entertainment venues, including the Reina club”, despite social media rumours to the contrary.The US embassy in Turkey has sought to clarify the details of a travel warning it issued on 22 December, saying “it had no information about threats to specific entertainment venues, including the Reina club”, despite social media rumours to the contrary.
Clarification Regarding U.S. Government Public Security Messages pic.twitter.com/aBJwlzshrtClarification Regarding U.S. Government Public Security Messages pic.twitter.com/aBJwlzshrt
11.48am GMT11.48am GMT
11:4811:48
Turkey’s top cleric has said there is no difference between a terrorist attack on a “place of worship or in an entertainment place”.Turkey’s top cleric has said there is no difference between a terrorist attack on a “place of worship or in an entertainment place”.
pic.twitter.com/uoS0il6roDpic.twitter.com/uoS0il6roD
11.46am GMT11.46am GMT
11:4611:46
Saudi, Moroccan, Lebanese and Libyan nationals among victimsSaudi, Moroccan, Lebanese and Libyan nationals among victims
The Turkish family minister has said that Saudi Arabian, Moroccan, Lebanese and Libyan nationals were also among the victims of the attackThe Turkish family minister has said that Saudi Arabian, Moroccan, Lebanese and Libyan nationals were also among the victims of the attack
11.31am GMT11.31am GMT
11:3111:31
Israeli victim namedIsraeli victim named
The Israeli foreign ministry has said that an Israeli woman was killed in the attack. She is Leanne Nasser, 19, from the Israeli-Arab town of Tira.The Israeli foreign ministry has said that an Israeli woman was killed in the attack. She is Leanne Nasser, 19, from the Israeli-Arab town of Tira.
Nasser was celebrating with three friends at the Reina nightclub when the gunman broke in and opened fire. Her friend Ruaa Mansour, also 18, was moderately wounded in the attack. The other two friends were unharmed.Nasser was celebrating with three friends at the Reina nightclub when the gunman broke in and opened fire. Her friend Ruaa Mansour, also 18, was moderately wounded in the attack. The other two friends were unharmed.
19-year-old Israeli Lian Nasser of Tira has been found dead. #Reina #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/5Yk49MZf1n19-year-old Israeli Lian Nasser of Tira has been found dead. #Reina #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/5Yk49MZf1n
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.47am GMTat 11.47am GMT
10.54am GMT10.54am GMT
10:5410:54
The president of the European Commission has sent his condolences to Turkey.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/5xHvFQBk6yStatement 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