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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
(about 1 hour later)
4.42am GMT
04:42
Witness: party-goers 'walking on top of people' to escape
Professional footballer Sefa Boydas has told AFP how people fainted after they heard gunshots while others walked on top of people to escape the attack.
Boydas, who plays for Istanbul club Beylerbeyi SK, said he had only been in the club for about 10 minutes with two friends before he heard gunshots and his friend collapsed in shock.
Just as we were settling down, by the door there was a lot of dust and smoke. Gunshots rang out. When those sounds were heard, many girls fainted.
He said people appeared to be crushed as they ran away.
They say 35 to 40 died but it’s probably more because when I was walking, people were walking on top of people.”
He described the screams which he said drowned out anything said by the attacker or attackers. He uses the word “they”, which could support the notion that there was more than one assailant.
Even if there were shouting, you wouldn’t hear because the crowd’s screams were 100 times louder.”
Boydas initially tried to escape holding his friend but upon seeing her older sister faint, the footballer said his friend also passed out.
4.31am GMT
04:31
Our Middle East reporter Kareem Shaheen has filed this report from Istanbul.
He notes it is still unclear how many assailants were involved. While the authorities said one gunman entered the club and was later killed by police, witness testimony in Turkish media appeared to describe more than one attacker, heightening fears that at least one other gunman remained on the loose.
3.29am GMT3.29am GMT
03:2903:29
At least 35 people have been killed, and about 40 injured, in an Istanbul nightclub after a gunman reportedly dressed as Santa Claus entered and began firing at random during a New Year’s Eve celebrationAt least 35 people have been killed, and about 40 injured, in an Istanbul nightclub after a gunman reportedly dressed as Santa Claus entered and began firing at random during a New Year’s Eve celebration
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, a 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, a 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, who has been killed, according to a government spokesman.Witnesses reported a rush for the exits, bodies lying on the floor and people jumping into the river to escape the gunman, who has been killed, according to a government spokesman.
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 3.39am GMTat 3.39am GMT
3.07am GMT3.07am GMT
03:0703:07
The US embassy in Turkey has urged US citizens to avoid the area – the district of Ortakoy – in the wake of the attack.The US embassy in Turkey has urged US citizens to avoid the area – the district of Ortakoy – in the wake of the attack.
It said in a statement: “We strongly urge US citizens in Turkey to directly contact concerned family members in the United States to advise them of your safety.”It said in a statement: “We strongly urge US citizens in Turkey to directly contact concerned family members in the United States to advise them of your safety.”
It is worth noting the club is popular with tourists as well as local residents. There is no word as yet on the nationalities of those who have been killed, or indeed an exact death toll.It is worth noting the club is popular with tourists as well as local residents. There is no word as yet on the nationalities of those who have been killed, or indeed an exact death toll.
3.03am GMT3.03am GMT
03:0303:03
The BBC is reporting a media blackout has been ordered by the Turkish government for security reasons.The BBC is reporting a media blackout has been ordered by the Turkish government for security reasons.
Security measures had been heightened in major Turkish cities during what has been a year marked by terrorist attacks. In Istanbul, 17,000 police officers were on duty during this week’s festive celebrations. Some were camouflaged as Santa Claus and others as street vendors, state news agency Anadolu reported.Security measures had been heightened in major Turkish cities during what has been a year marked by terrorist attacks. In Istanbul, 17,000 police officers were on duty during this week’s festive celebrations. Some were camouflaged as Santa Claus and others as street vendors, state news agency Anadolu reported.
2.51am GMT2.51am GMT
02:5102:51
The state-run Anadolu news agency has quoted the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as expressing his “deep sadness” over the attack. He is getting regular updates on the investigation and the casualties from the prime minister, Binali Yıldırım.The state-run Anadolu news agency has quoted the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as expressing his “deep sadness” over the attack. He is getting regular updates on the investigation and the casualties from the prime minister, Binali Yıldırım.
2.45am GMT2.45am GMT
02:4502:45
2.44am GMT2.44am GMT
02:4402:44
Kareem Shaheen is reporting a huge security presence in the districts surrounding Ortakoy, where the attack took place.Kareem Shaheen is reporting a huge security presence in the districts surrounding Ortakoy, where the attack took place.
Many roads have been closed off. The hugely popular Istiklal avenue – a pedestrianised area packed with shops, bars and cafes – is lined with many police cars and armed officers.Many roads have been closed off. The hugely popular Istiklal avenue – a pedestrianised area packed with shops, bars and cafes – is lined with many police cars and armed officers.
2.32am GMT2.32am GMT
02:3202:32
The coast guard patrols the Bosphorus near the river frontage of the Reina nightclub. There were reports of partygoers jumping into the river to escape the gunman.The coast guard patrols the Bosphorus near the river frontage of the Reina nightclub. There were reports of partygoers jumping into the river to escape the gunman.
2.25am GMT2.25am GMT
02:2502:25
Witness Sinem Uyanik has recounted her ordeal. She was inside the club and her husband, Lutfu Uyanik, was wounded in the attack.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.”“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 GMT2.22am GMT
02:2202:22
Turkey has been hit by a string of attacks in recent months, blamed on Kurdish militants and Islamic State jihadists.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.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.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.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.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 GMT2.14am GMT
02:1402:14
The US state department has strongly condemned the attack.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.”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 GMT2.10am GMT
02:1002:10
US president Barack Obama, who is on holiday Hawaii, has expressed his condolences and offered help to Turkish authorities.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.”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 GMT2.01am GMT
02:0102:01
Attacker is dead, says government officialAttacker 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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.02am GMTat 2.02am GMT
1.53am GMT1.53am GMT
01:5301:53
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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.53am GMTat 1.53am GMT