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Istanbul attack: Manhunt for attacker who killed 39 in nightclub – live Istanbul attack: Manhunt for attacker who killed 39 in nightclub – live
(about 1 hour later)
6.29pm GMT
18:29
Nicola Slawson
Hello, Nicola Slawson here in London, taking over from Jamie. Here’s an update from our correspondent, Kareem Shaheen, in Istanbul:
One important question that has been raised is how the assailant managed to escape even though the police response was quite swift to the attack, since there is a police station just across the street from Reina. There are over 300 security cameras in the club and the surrounding area so investigators are combing through security cam footage. One theory, believed by some who have seen some of the footage, is that the attacker, who left his gun at the scene, may have pretended to be an injured civilian in the immediate aftermath and chaos.
5.37pm GMT5.37pm GMT
17:3717:37
Evening summaryEvening summary
A manhunt is on for an attacker who shot dead 39 people and wounded 69 others during a New Year’s Eve celebration at an upmarket Istanbul nightclub. Turkish officials said it was a lone gunman but some survivors described seeing multiple attackers.A manhunt is on for an attacker who shot dead 39 people and wounded 69 others during a New Year’s Eve celebration at an upmarket Istanbul nightclub. Turkish officials said it was a lone gunman but some survivors described seeing multiple attackers.
A Turkish opposition MP said at least 24 of those killed were foreign nationals, higher than the 15 cited by Turkish interior minister Suleyman Soylu. CHP MP said 11 Turks, seven Saudi Arabians, three Iraqis, two Lebanese, two Tunisian, two Indian and a Kuwaiti, a Syrian, and an Israelis are among the dead. A Belgian citizen who is originally Turkish, and a Canadian-Iraqi were also killed, she said. The Jordanian foreign ministry said three of its citizens were killed.A Turkish opposition MP said at least 24 of those killed were foreign nationals, higher than the 15 cited by Turkish interior minister Suleyman Soylu. CHP MP said 11 Turks, seven Saudi Arabians, three Iraqis, two Lebanese, two Tunisian, two Indian and a Kuwaiti, a Syrian, and an Israelis are among the dead. A Belgian citizen who is originally Turkish, and a Canadian-Iraqi were also killed, she said. The Jordanian foreign ministry said three of its citizens were killed.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Reina club,which is thought to have had up to 600 people inside at the time. The club is an exclusive hotspot popular with tourists and local residents that sits on the bank of the eastern side of the Bosphorus.No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Reina club,which is thought to have had up to 600 people inside at the time. The club is an exclusive hotspot popular with tourists and local residents that sits on the bank of the eastern side of the Bosphorus.
President Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey would “fight to the end” against all forms of terrorism. He accused the perpetrators of trying to “create chaos, demoralise our people, and destabilise our country”.President Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey would “fight to the end” against all forms of terrorism. He accused the perpetrators of trying to “create chaos, demoralise our people, and destabilise our country”.
Witnesses reported a rush for the exits, bodies lying on the floor and people jumping into the river to escape the gunman. One survivor said the gunman shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) during the attack.Witnesses reported a rush for the exits, bodies lying on the floor and people jumping into the river to escape the gunman. One survivor said the gunman shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) during the attack.
There has been condemnation from across the world with the US State Department describing it as “heinous” and Barack Obama offering his condolences. The Russian president Vladimir Putin said it was “hard to imagine a more cynical crime” and Pope Francis said he was praying for the victims.There has been condemnation from across the world with the US State Department describing it as “heinous” and Barack Obama offering his condolences. The Russian president Vladimir Putin said it was “hard to imagine a more cynical crime” and Pope Francis said he was praying for the victims.
Leanne Nasser, 19, from the Israeli-Arab town of Tira Nasser was killed while celebrating with three friends. Her friend Ruaa Mansour, also 18, was moderately wounded in the attack. The other two friends were unharmed. A Lebanese man, Haykal Musallem, was at the club with his wife of five months when he was killed, a friend said. A security guard at the club, Fatih Çakmak, Turkish police officer, Burak Yildiz, 22, and 47-year-old travel agent Ayhan Arik, were also reportedly killed. Çakmak reportedly survived twin bombings outside a football stadium in Istanbul on 10 December, which killed 45 people.Leanne Nasser, 19, from the Israeli-Arab town of Tira Nasser was killed while celebrating with three friends. Her friend Ruaa Mansour, also 18, was moderately wounded in the attack. The other two friends were unharmed. A Lebanese man, Haykal Musallem, was at the club with his wife of five months when he was killed, a friend said. A security guard at the club, Fatih Çakmak, Turkish police officer, Burak Yildiz, 22, and 47-year-old travel agent Ayhan Arik, were also reportedly killed. Çakmak reportedly survived twin bombings outside a football stadium in Istanbul on 10 December, which killed 45 people.
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”.
Conservative politicians and media who criticised the concept of New Year celebrations have come under scrutiny in the wake of the attack. An opposition politician called for those responsible for “messages which can damage our social peace” to resign.Conservative politicians and media who criticised the concept of New Year celebrations have come under scrutiny in the wake of the attack. An opposition politician called for those responsible for “messages which can damage our social peace” to resign.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.39pm GMTat 5.39pm GMT
5.17pm GMT5.17pm GMT
17:1717:17
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
France’s foreign minister says one French citizen was killed and three others wounded in the New Year’s shooting attack at a crowded Istanbul nightclub, AP reports.France’s foreign minister says one French citizen was killed and three others wounded in the New Year’s shooting attack at a crowded Istanbul nightclub, AP reports.
Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said in a statement that a woman with both French and Tunisian citizenship died in the attack early Sunday.Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said in a statement that a woman with both French and Tunisian citizenship died in the attack early Sunday.
Ayrault says the woman’s Tunisian husband also died.Ayrault says the woman’s Tunisian husband also died.
Due to the presence of French citizens among the casualties, the Paris prosecutor’s office says it has opened a criminal investigation for “terrorist murders and attempted murders.”Due to the presence of French citizens among the casualties, the Paris prosecutor’s office says it has opened a criminal investigation for “terrorist murders and attempted murders.”
An assailant opened fire at the Reina nightclub during New Year’s celebrations, killing at least 39 people.An assailant opened fire at the Reina nightclub during New Year’s celebrations, killing at least 39 people.
Turkish authorities said foreigners from “many different nationalities” are among the wounded in the attack.Turkish authorities said foreigners from “many different nationalities” are among the wounded in the attack.
French President Francois Hollande says in a statement that France “will pitilessly pursue the fight” against terrorism with its allies.French President Francois Hollande says in a statement that France “will pitilessly pursue the fight” against terrorism with its allies.
4.27pm GMT4.27pm GMT
16:2716:27
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
Hi, Jamie Grierson in London here, taking over from Haroon. Here’s some updated advice from the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). A brief statement on the department’s website reads:Hi, Jamie Grierson in London here, taking over from Haroon. Here’s some updated advice from the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). A brief statement on the department’s website reads:
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.
4.00pm GMT4.00pm GMT
16:0016:00
Charbel Wardini, from Lebanon, told AP that his 26-year-old brother, Elias, was among those killed in the attack.Charbel Wardini, from Lebanon, told AP that his 26-year-old brother, Elias, was among those killed in the attack.
He said:He said:
I lost my brother because of terrorism. If you tell me terrorism, I will go fight against them.I lost my brother because of terrorism. If you tell me terrorism, I will go fight against them.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said seven Lebanese were wounded in the attack.Lebanon’s foreign ministry reported earlier that the daughter of member of parliament Estephan El Douaihy was among those injured.Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said seven Lebanese were wounded in the attack.Lebanon’s foreign ministry reported earlier that the daughter of member of parliament Estephan El Douaihy was among those injured.
The Lebanese government plans to send a jet to Istanbul on Sunday night with a medical team and relatives of the wounded in order to bring them back to Beirut.The Lebanese government plans to send a jet to Istanbul on Sunday night with a medical team and relatives of the wounded in order to bring them back to Beirut.
3.40pm GMT3.40pm GMT
15:4015:40
The foreign ministry in Amman has said three Jordanians were killed and four injured, the official Petra news agency reported.The foreign ministry in Amman has said three Jordanians were killed and four injured, the official Petra news agency reported.
3.14pm GMT3.14pm GMT
15:1415:14
At the forensic institute in Istanbul, Kareem Shaheen spoke to Stephanie Deek, a Lebanese woman whose friend was with her husband, Haykal Musallem, at Reina when the attack happened. Musallem was killed.At the forensic institute in Istanbul, Kareem Shaheen spoke to Stephanie Deek, a Lebanese woman whose friend was with her husband, Haykal Musallem, at Reina when the attack happened. Musallem was killed.
Deek said:Deek said:
They were just tourists, married for five months, and they wanted to find the perfect place to spend New Year’s Eve.They were just tourists, married for five months, and they wanted to find the perfect place to spend New Year’s Eve.
She said when the attack happened the husband was in the bathroom and the wife at the table. She ran out when the shooting started but the husband was caught in the midst of the attack and died.She said when the attack happened the husband was in the bathroom and the wife at the table. She ran out when the shooting started but the husband was caught in the midst of the attack and died.
Deek tried to contact them as soon as she heard of the attack, and was there to try and identify the body but had to wait outside and was visibly agitated. She said:Deek tried to contact them as soon as she heard of the attack, and was there to try and identify the body but had to wait outside and was visibly agitated. She said:
I’m feeling so sad. I can’t even talk or express my feelings.I’m feeling so sad. I can’t even talk or express my feelings.
3.09pm GMT3.09pm GMT
15:0915:09
'24 foreigners killed' - Turkish MP'24 foreigners killed' - Turkish MP
Kareem ShaheenKareem Shaheen
Selina Dogan, a CHP [the main opposition party] MP who toured the hospitals and the morgue, said 11 Turks, 24 foreign nationals and four whose nationality has yet to be ascertained were killed in the attack.Selina Dogan, a CHP [the main opposition party] MP who toured the hospitals and the morgue, said 11 Turks, 24 foreign nationals and four whose nationality has yet to be ascertained were killed in the attack.
She said the nationalities of the dead included Saudi Arabian (seven) Iraqi (three), Lebanese (two), Tunisian (two) Indian (two) and one each from Kuwait, Syria, and Israel. A Belgian citizen who is originally Turkish, and a Canadian-Iraqi were also killed.She said the nationalities of the dead included Saudi Arabian (seven) Iraqi (three), Lebanese (two), Tunisian (two) Indian (two) and one each from Kuwait, Syria, and Israel. A Belgian citizen who is originally Turkish, and a Canadian-Iraqi were also killed.
One of the Kuwaiti wounded told visitors that the assailant was shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest).One of the Kuwaiti wounded told visitors that the assailant was shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest).
The survivors they spoke to all said there were multiple assailants, although Turkish authorities have said there was a lone attacker, and some said they were in contact with each other on walkie talkies.The survivors they spoke to all said there were multiple assailants, although Turkish authorities have said there was a lone attacker, and some said they were in contact with each other on walkie talkies.
All of the dead had gun wounds caused by a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Of the dead, 25 are men and 14 women. Eleven bodies have already been handed over to their families for burial.All of the dead had gun wounds caused by a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Of the dead, 25 are men and 14 women. Eleven bodies have already been handed over to their families for burial.
Two of the dead are believed to be Saudi twins but they haven’t been formally identified yet.Two of the dead are believed to be Saudi twins but they haven’t been formally identified yet.
2.52pm GMT2.52pm GMT
14:5214:52
Five Saudi citizens were killed in the attack and 10 more injured, according to the al-Riyhadh website (Arabic link), quoting the country’s acting consul general in Istanbul.Five Saudi citizens were killed in the attack and 10 more injured, according to the al-Riyhadh website (Arabic link), quoting the country’s acting consul general in Istanbul.
2.48pm GMT2.48pm GMT
14:4814:48
Another Lebanese man, Haykal Mousallem, was killed in the attack, his relatives have told Reuters.Another Lebanese man, Haykal Mousallem, was killed in the attack, his relatives have told Reuters.
Earlier, the family of Elias Wardini told Lebanon’s New TV that they had been officially informed of his death.Earlier, the family of Elias Wardini told Lebanon’s New TV that they had been officially informed of his death.
Lebanon’s National News Agency said several other Lebanese nationals were wounded in the attack.Lebanon’s National News Agency said several other Lebanese nationals were wounded in the attack.
2.38pm GMT2.38pm GMT
14:3814:38
Turkish media say the victims of the attack include a police officer and a travel agent, AP reports.Turkish media say the victims of the attack include a police officer and a travel agent, AP reports.
State-run Anadolu news agency reported that the body of 22-year-old police officer Burak Yildiz was en route to his hometown in the southern city of Mersin. Yildiz, who had been on the force for one-and-a-half years, was shot and killed outside the Reina nightclub.Private Dogan news agency reports that 47-year-old travel agent Ayhan Arik, a father of two, was another of the first victims of the early morning attack. The news agency says the gunman shot Arik in the head outside the club.State-run Anadolu news agency reported that the body of 22-year-old police officer Burak Yildiz was en route to his hometown in the southern city of Mersin. Yildiz, who had been on the force for one-and-a-half years, was shot and killed outside the Reina nightclub.Private Dogan news agency reports that 47-year-old travel agent Ayhan Arik, a father of two, was another of the first victims of the early morning attack. The news agency says the gunman shot Arik in the head outside the club.
1.59pm GMT1.59pm GMT
13:5913:59
The Turkish prime minister has also said the reports that the attacker was dressed as Santa Claus are untrue.The Turkish prime minister has also said the reports that the attacker was dressed as Santa Claus are untrue.
Turkish Prime Minister @BA_Yildirim denies report #Istanbul shooter was dressed as Santa. Attacker left weapon at scene pic.twitter.com/0MtTCNkitJTurkish Prime Minister @BA_Yildirim denies report #Istanbul shooter was dressed as Santa. Attacker left weapon at scene pic.twitter.com/0MtTCNkitJ