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Nightclub attack: Manhunt after dozens killed in Istanbul Nightclub attack: Manhunt after dozens killed in Istanbul
(about 1 hour later)
Police in Istanbul are hunting for a gunman who opened fire at a nightclub, killing at least 39 people. Police in Istanbul are hunting for a gunman who opened fire at a well-known nightclub, killing at least 39 people.
The attack happened at Reina nightclub early on Sunday, as hundreds of revellers marked the new year.The attack happened at Reina nightclub early on Sunday, as hundreds of revellers marked the new year.
Officials say at least 15 foreigners were killed, including an Israeli woman, a Belgian national, a French Tunisian and two Lebanese. Officials say at least 15 foreigners were killed, including citizens from Israel, Belgium, Lebanon, Jordan, France, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.
The attacker left his gun at the scene before fleeing, the Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said. The attacker left his gun before "taking advantage of the chaos" and fleeing the scene, Turkey's PM said.
He also confirmed the gunman was not dressed as Santa Claus, contradicting earlier reports. Binali Yildirim also confirmed the gunman was not dressed as Santa Claus, contradicting earlier reports.
At least 69 people are being treated in hospital, officials said, with four in a serious condition. Those injured include citizens from Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Libya. The attack unfolded some 75 minutes into the new year as around 700 people gathered in the waterside Reina club, one of Istanbul's most upmarket venues.
The motive for the attack is not clear. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed terror groups "trying to create chaos". The attacker shot dead a policeman and a security guard at the entrance before heading into the club, which is popular with celebrities and foreigners.
"They are trying to... demoralise our people and destabilise our country," he said. Eyewitnesses described seeing dozens of bodies lying on the floor. Some revellers reportedly threw themselves into the Bosphorus to escape the carnage.
In an early morning statement, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu described the attack as "a massacre, a truly inhuman savagery". "Gunshots rang out. When those sounds were heard, many girls fainted," professional footballer Sefa Boydas told AFP news agency.
"A manhunt for the terrorist is under way. Police have launched operations. We hope the attacker will be captured soon." 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."
Police believed there was only one gunman, he said, although some eyewitness reports mentioned multiple attackers. At least 69 people are being treated in hospital, officials said, with three in a serious condition.
The motive for the attack is not clear, but suspicion has fallen on the Islamic State group.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed terror groups "trying to create chaos". "They are trying to... demoralise our people and destabilise our country," he said.
IS threats: By Rengin Arslan, BBC Turkish, IstanbulIS threats: By Rengin Arslan, BBC Turkish, Istanbul
Despite there being no official statement about who might be behind this brutal attack, the finger of blame is being pointed at the so-called Islamic State.Despite there being no official statement about who might be behind this brutal attack, the finger of blame is being pointed at the so-called Islamic State.
In the last two years of attacks in Turkey, Kurdish militants have mostly targeted military forces and police, while IS is known to target civilians.In the last two years of attacks in Turkey, Kurdish militants have mostly targeted military forces and police, while IS is known to target civilians.
IS leaders have threatened Turkey and called on their followers to carry out attacks inside the country.IS leaders have threatened Turkey and called on their followers to carry out attacks inside the country.
Turkey began a ground operation against IS as well as Kurdish groups inside Syria four months ago.Turkey began a ground operation against IS as well as Kurdish groups inside Syria four months ago.
Early on Sunday, the interior minister said some of the dead had yet to be identified. Israel has confirmed 19-year-old Leanne Nasser was killed. Earlier, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu confirmed a "manhunt for the terrorist is under way. Police have launched operations. We hope the attacker will be captured soon."
Turkish state news agency Anadolu also quoted Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya as saying most of the victims were foreigners "from different countries - Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Lebanon, Libya". Later reports clarified that she was referring to the injured, rather than to the dead. Police believed there was only one gunman, he said, although some eyewitness reports mentioned multiple attackers.
A policeman and a security guard were shot outside the club as the attack began. The security guard has been identified as Fatih Cakmak. His brother said he was on duty when Kurdish militants attacked a football stadium in December, killing at least 44 people, mostly police. Details of those who died are starting to emerge.
Reina nightclub, in the the Ortakoy area of Istanbul, is an upmarket venue on the banks of the Bosphorus. The security guard at the entrance to the club has been identified as Fatih Cakmak.
There were reportedly as many as 700 people in the nightclub at the time of the attack, some of whom jumped into the water to escape. His brother said he narrowly escaped a double bombing three weeks ago, having been on duty when Kurdish militants launched an attack near a football stadium, killing at least 44 people, mostly police.
Eyewitnesses described panic and confusion as the attack unfolded. Here is what we know of the other deaths:
"Gunshots rang out. When those sounds were heard, many girls fainted," professional footballer Sefa Boydas told AFP news agency.
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."
US President Barack Obama, who is on holiday in Hawaii, offered condolences "for the innocent lives lost" and offered "appropriate assistance".US President Barack Obama, who is on holiday in Hawaii, offered condolences "for the innocent lives lost" and offered "appropriate assistance".
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the "cynical" murder of civilians. "Our shared duty is to decisively rebuff terrorist aggression," he said.Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the "cynical" murder of civilians. "Our shared duty is to decisively rebuff terrorist aggression," he said.
Turkey and Russia are working together on efforts to end the fighting in Syria, though they support different sides in the conflict.Turkey and Russia are working together on efforts to end the fighting in Syria, though they support different sides in the conflict.
Istanbul was already on high alert with some 17,000 police officers on duty in the city, following a string of terror attacks in recent months.Istanbul was already on high alert with some 17,000 police officers on duty in the city, following a string of terror attacks in recent months.
Many were carried out by so-called Islamic State (IS) or Kurdish militants.
Deadly attacks in Turkey in 2016Deadly attacks in Turkey in 2016
10 December: Twin bomb attack outside a football stadium in Istanbul kills 44 people, Kurdish militant group claims responsibility10 December: Twin bomb attack outside a football stadium in Istanbul kills 44 people, Kurdish militant group claims responsibility
20 August: Bomb attack on wedding party in Gaziantep kills at least 30 people, IS suspected20 August: Bomb attack on wedding party in Gaziantep kills at least 30 people, IS suspected
30 July: 35 Kurdish fighters try to storm a military base and are killed by the Turkish army30 July: 35 Kurdish fighters try to storm a military base and are killed by the Turkish army
28 June: A gun and bomb attack on Ataturk airport in Istanbul kills 41 people, in an attack blamed on IS militants28 June: A gun and bomb attack on Ataturk airport in Istanbul kills 41 people, in an attack blamed on IS militants
13 March: 37 people are killed by Kurdish militants in a suicide car bombing in Ankara13 March: 37 people are killed by Kurdish militants in a suicide car bombing in Ankara
17 February: 28 people die in an attack on a military convoy in Ankara17 February: 28 people die in an attack on a military convoy in Ankara