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Turkey nightclub attack: IS says it was behind killing of 39 | |
(35 minutes later) | |
So-called Islamic State says it was behind the New Year attack on a Turkish nightclub that killed 39 people. | |
The group said in a statement it was carried out by "a heroic soldier". | |
At least 600 revellers were celebrating in the early hours of Sunday at Istanbul's Reina nightclub when the gunman began firing indiscriminately. | |
IS has been blamed for recent attacks in Turkey, which is taking military action against the group in neighbouring Syria. | |
The militant group has already been linked to at least two attacks in Turkey last year. | |
More details of the nightclub attack have been emerging. | |
The gunman fired up to 180 bullets, Turkish media report. | |
The assailant arrived by taxi before rushing through the entrance with a long-barrelled gun he had taken from the boot of the car. | |
The attacker fired indiscriminately at people, starting with a security guard and a travel agent near the entrance. Both were killed. | The attacker fired indiscriminately at people, starting with a security guard and a travel agent near the entrance. Both were killed. |
The assault lasted seven minutes and the gunman is reported to have removed his overcoat before fleeing during the chaos. | The assault lasted seven minutes and the gunman is reported to have removed his overcoat before fleeing during the chaos. |
A manhunt is under way, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu confirmed. "We hope the attacker will be captured soon." | A manhunt is under way, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu confirmed. "We hope the attacker will be captured soon." |
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused groups such as IS of trying "to create chaos". | President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused groups such as IS of trying "to create chaos". |
"They are trying to... demoralise our people and destabilise our country," he added. | "They are trying to... demoralise our people and destabilise our country," he added. |
The banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has distanced itself from the killings, with the PKK's Murat Karayilan quoted as saying it would "never target innocent civilians". | The banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has distanced itself from the killings, with the PKK's Murat Karayilan quoted as saying it would "never target innocent civilians". |
As the search continued, the first funerals were held on Sunday. | As the search continued, the first funerals were held on Sunday. |
At least 25 of those killed were foreign, according to local media, among them citizens from Israel, Russia, France, Tunisia, Lebanon, India, Belgium, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. | At least 25 of those killed were foreign, according to local media, among them citizens from Israel, Russia, France, Tunisia, Lebanon, India, Belgium, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. |
Victims by nationality: | Victims by nationality: |
The club, which sits on the banks of the Bosphorus, is one of Istanbul's most chic venues - popular with foreigners and often frequented by singers and sports stars. | The club, which sits on the banks of the Bosphorus, is one of Istanbul's most chic venues - popular with foreigners and often frequented by singers and sports stars. |
Security guard Fatih Cakmak was among the first to die. | Security guard Fatih Cakmak was among the first to die. |
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. | 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. |
At least 69 people are being treated in hospital, officials said, with three in a serious condition. | At least 69 people are being treated in hospital, officials said, with three in a serious condition. |
Deadly attacks in Turkey in 2016 | Deadly attacks in Turkey in 2016 |
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. |
10 December: Twin bomb attack outside a football stadium in Istanbul kills 44 people, Kurdish militant group claims responsibility | 10 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 suspected | 20 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 army | 30 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 militants | 28 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 Ankara | 13 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 Ankara | 17 February: 28 people die in an attack on a military convoy in Ankara |