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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/jan/01/istanbul-nightclub-attack-dozens-killed-new-years-eve-mass-shooting-live-updates
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| Istanbul nightclub attack: 15 foreigners among 39 killed as police hunt gunman – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.08am GMT | |
| 07:08 | |
| 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. | |
| 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 GMT | |
| 06:58 | |
| 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. | |
| 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 GMT | |
| 06:51 | |
| 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. | |
| 6.46am GMT | |
| 06:46 | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 6.26am GMT | 6.26am GMT |
| 06:26 | 06:26 |
| 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 GMT | 6.18am GMT |
| 06:18 | 06:18 |
| 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. | |
| 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 attack | The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been quoted by state-run news agency Anadolu as expressing his “deep sadness” over the attack |
| Updated | |
| at 6.40am GMT | |
| 5.58am GMT | 5.58am GMT |
| 05:58 | 05:58 |
| 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. |
| 5.53am GMT | 5.53am GMT |
| 05:53 | 05:53 |
| 5.51am GMT | 5.51am GMT |
| 05:51 | 05:51 |
| Some images have come through giving a view from the Bosphorus river onto the Reina nightclub, inside which security officers can be seen. | Some images have come through giving a view from the Bosphorus river onto the Reina nightclub, inside which security officers can be seen. |
| 5.47am GMT | 5.47am GMT |
| 05:47 | 05:47 |
| Soylu gave the figure of 16 foreigners dead after only 21 victims were identified. This means the nationalities of 18 more victims are yet to be established. | Soylu gave the figure of 16 foreigners dead after only 21 victims were identified. This means the nationalities of 18 more victims are yet to be established. |
| 5.11am GMT | 5.11am GMT |
| 05:11 | 05:11 |
| Attacker still at large, says interior minister | Attacker still at large, says interior minister |
| The interior minister, Süleyman Soylu, has said the attacker is still on the loose. Earlier government reports stated there was a lone gunman who was killed by police. | The interior minister, Süleyman Soylu, has said the attacker is still on the loose. Earlier government reports stated there was a lone gunman who was killed by police. |
| Soylu said the death toll was now at 39, with 16 of those being foreign nationals. He did not provide any information on their countries. | Soylu said the death toll was now at 39, with 16 of those being foreign nationals. He did not provide any information on their countries. |
| A further 69 people are being treated in hospitals across the city. | A further 69 people are being treated in hospitals across the city. |
| 4.59am GMT | 4.59am GMT |
| 04:59 | 04:59 |
| Interior minister: 16 foreigners among 39 dead | Interior minister: 16 foreigners among 39 dead |
| Agence France-Presse is reporting comments from the interior minister, saying that the death toll has risen to 39, including 16 foreigners. | Agence France-Presse is reporting comments from the interior minister, saying that the death toll has risen to 39, including 16 foreigners. |
| 4.42am GMT | 4.42am GMT |
| 04:42 | 04:42 |
| Witness: party-goers 'walking on top of people' to escape | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.” | 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. | 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.” | 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. | 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 | 4.31am GMT |
| 04:31 | 04:31 |
| Our Middle East reporter Kareem Shaheen has filed this report from Istanbul. | 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. | 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 GMT | 3.29am GMT |
| 03:29 | 03:29 |
| 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 celebration | 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 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 attack | The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been quoted by state-run news agency Anadolu as expressing his “deep sadness” over the attack |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.39am GMT | at 3.39am GMT |
| 3.07am GMT | 3.07am GMT |
| 03:07 | 03:07 |
| 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 GMT | 3.03am GMT |
| 03:03 | 03:03 |
| 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. |