Istanbul - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the attack on an Istanbul nightclub.
By AP/Reuters
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Published: Sun 1 Jan 2017, 5:50 AM
Last updated: Mon 2 Jan 2017, 12:47 PM
At least 39 people were killed and 70 wounded in a "terror" attack in Istanbul Sunday when gunmen reportedly dressed as Santa stormed an elite nightclub where partygoers were celebrating the New Year, the latest carnage to rock Turkey after a bloody 2016. Two gunmen entered the venue dressed as Santa and spraying bullets at random inside the Reina nightclub, one of the city's most exclusive party spots, Dogan news agency said.
"Unfortunately, at least 35 of our citizens lost their lives. One was a police officer. Forty people are receiving treatment in hospitals," Vasip Sahin told reporters at the scene of the nightclub on the Bosphorus in the city's European side.
At least one gunman shot dead a policeman and a civilian at the entrance to the Reina nightclub and then went on a shooting rampage inside.
* Turkey raises death toll in club attack to 39
* The attackers were "speaking Arabic".
* Hundreds of New Year's revellers were in club
* Some reports suggest multiple attackers
*Around 700 people inside nightclub at time of attack
* Special Forces officers were still searching the premises.
* The attack sparked mass panic, with some diving into the Bosphorus Strait to escape the bullets.
* Rescuers were battling to salvage them from the water.
* At least 17,000 police officers were deployed in the city for the New Year festivities.
* The attacks have been blamed either on Kurdish militants or the Daesh group.
"What happened today is a terror attack," he added. Many party-goers threw themselves into the Bosphorus in panic after the attack and efforts were underway to rescue them from the waters, NTV television said. Dogan news agency reported that some witnesses claimed the attackers were "speaking Arabic" while NTV broadcaster said special force police officers were still searching the nightclub. TV images showed the scene cordoned off by police officers. According to Dogan, there were at least 700 revellers celebrating the start of 2017 at the club. Television pictures showed the New Year partygoers - including men in suits and women in cocktail dresses - emerging out of the nightclub in a state of shock. The nightclub in the Ortakoy district of Istanbul is one of the most elite spots in the city, and getting inside past the bouncers who seek out only the best dressed is notoriously hard. Turkey has been hit by a string of attacks in recent months blamed on Kurdish militants and Daesh militants. Amid fears of another attack in Istanbul, at least 17,000 police officers were deployed in the city for this year's New Year's Eve celebrations. A look at the major attacks in Turkey The country has been rocked by a series of deadly attacks in 2016 carried out by the Daesh or Kurdish militants, killing more than 180 people. On Dec. 10, a double bomb attack outside soccer stadium - located near the Reina nightclub - killed 44 people and wounded 149 others. The attack was claimed by Turkey-based Kurdish militant group, the Kurdish Freedom Falcons. Nine days later, an off-duty Turkish riot policeman assassinated Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov at a photo exhibition in the capital, Ankara. The government has suggested that a movement led US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen was behind the killing - an accusation the cleric has denied.
The Latest on a deadly attack on an Istanbul nightclub:
1:45 pm.
Erdogan condemns nightclub attack Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the attack on an Istanbul nightclub, saying Turkey will relentlessly continue fighting terror. Erdogan said in a written statement Sunday: "I vehemently condemn the terror attack in Istanbul's Ortakoy neighborhood in the first hours of 2017." Offering his condolences for those who lost their lives, including "foreign guests," Erdogan says "Turkey continues its combat against terror and is absolutely determined to do whatever is necessary in the region to ensure its citizens safety and peace."
1:35 pm.
Putin, northern European leaders condemn attack Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent Turkey's president a telegram of condolences, denouncing the Istanbul nightclub attack. "It is hard to imagine a more cynical crime than killing innocent people during New Year celebrations," Putin said in the message to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Kremlin said on Sunday. "However, terrorists don't share moral values. Our common duty is to combat terrorists' aggression," Putin said. Nordic and Baltic leaders reacted on Twitter, with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius saying "terrorist cowards can kill, but can't win." Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite sent her "heartfelt condolences," while Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven called the attack "awful." In Norway, Prime Minister Erna Solberg said it was a "cowardly armed attack toward innocent civilians."
12:15 am.
Eyewitness describes seeing attacker open fire Mehmet Dag, 22, was passing by the club and saw the suspect shoot at a police officer and a bystander. "I was in shock at the scene," he said. Dag says the suspect then targeted security, gunning them down and entering the club. "Once he went in, we don't know what happened. There were gun sounds and after two minutes, the sound of an explosion." IPhone footage filmed by Dag and obtained by The Associated Press shows a police officer lying on the ground outside the club, and then a woman. Dag tells the woman, who is lying on the floor face down in a pool of blood, "my sister, you will get better." He calls for an ambulance. Footage shows ambulances and the lights of an Istanbul bridge when the sound of gunfire rings out inside the club.
10: 30 am.
Manhunt underway after attacker escaped club Police in Istanbul launched a manhunt on Sunday for a gunman who killed at least 39 people, many of them foreigners, at a nightclub packed with New Year's revellers, in an attack officials described as a terrorist act.
10: 25 am.
Turkey lowers number of foreign fatalities Turkey's interior minister has lowered the number of foreign nationals killed in the Istanbul nightclub attack to 15. Health Minister Suleyman Soylu meanwhile says 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." The minister says the attacker was believed to have left the club wearing "different clothing" to those he entered the club in. He says the attacker is believed to have carried out the assault alone. Interior Minister Recep Akdag also said that four of the injured were in "very serious condition" and the wounded also included several foreigners.
9: 15 am.
At least 16 foreigners among 39 killed At least 16 foreigners were among 39 people killed in the gun attack on an Istanbul club during New Year festivities, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said. Soylu said in televised comments that of 21 victims who have been identified so far, 16 are foreigners and five are Turks. Another 69 people are being treated in hospital for their wounds. He confirmed that work was continuing to identify 18 other victims. Four of the wounded are in a serious condition, he added, including one in a very critical condition. Indicating that the attacker was still at large, Soylu said:
"The search for the terrorist continues. The police have started the necessary operations. I hope (the assailant) will be captured quickly, God willing."
8:20 am.
WNBA players were next door to Istanbul club A handful of WNBA players, including Essence Carson, Chelsea Gray and Jantel Lavender of the Los Angeles Sparks, were next door to the deadly shooting at a nightclub in Istanbul. Sparks coach Brian Agler confirmed that Carson had texted him that the three players were OK. Carson had tweeted earlier in the evening that she was "stuck inside of the club because of 'terror' shooting in Istanbul. Praises to the most high." About two dozen WNBA players are in Turkey during their offseason playing in a league there.
8:00 am.
'We walked on top of people': Witness Professional footballer Sefa Boydas described the chaos and panic as people tried to escape a gunman intent on killing as many as possible. Boydas said he had only been in the club with two friends for about 10 minutes 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." "They say 35 to 40 died but it's probably more because when I was walking, people were walking on top of people." "But even if there were shouting, you wouldn't hear because the crowd's screams were 100 times louder."
5:50 am.
White House condemns Istanbul 'terrorist attack' The White House is condemning what it calls a "horrific terrorist attack" in Istanbul and offering US help to Turkey. White House spokesman Eric Schultz says Obama was briefed on the attack by his national security team and asked to be updated as the situation develops. Obama is vacationing in Hawaii this week with his family. White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price says the attack on "innocent revelers" celebrating New Year's shows the attackers' savagery. He says the US sends thoughts and prayers to the relatives of those killed. Price says the US supports its NATO ally Turkey as both countries fight terrorism. The assailant is believed to have been dressed as Santa Claus when he killed 35 people and wounded 40 more at an Istanbul nightclub.
5:30 am.
Witness describes scene inside Istanbul club Eyewitness Sinem Uyanik said she saw several bodies inside the Istanbul nightclub that was attacked during New Year's celebrations. 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." Her husband was not in serious condition despite his wounds. Istanbul Gov. Vasip Sahin said the attack left at least 35 people dead and 40 wounded.
4: 00 am.
Attackers wore Santa costumes One civilian and one police officer were killed while several other people were injured, NTV television said, adding that two gunmen had entered the venue dressed as Santa.
3:57 am.
"Police moved in quickly" Footage from the scene showed at least six ambulances with flashing lights and civilians being escorted out. NTV said police had cordoned off the area and an operation to capture the assailant was ongoing. Security measures had been heightened in major Turkish cities, with police barring traffic leading up to key squares in Istanbul and the capital Ankara. In Istanbul, 17,000 police officers were put on duty, some camouflaged as Santa Clause and others as street vendors, Anadolu reported.
Crime scene at nightclub
3: 40 am.
Around 500-600 people inside nightclub Footage from the scene showed at least six ambulances with flashing lights and civilians being escorted out. Media reports said police have cordoned off the area and an operation is ongoing.
3:30 am.
Several wounded in armed attack Several wounded in New Year's attack on Istanbul night club Turkey's state-run news agency says an armed assailant has opened fire at a nightclub in Istanbul during New Year's celebrations, wounding several people. The Anadolu Agency said the attack occurred in Istanbul's Ortakoy district.
Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his congratulations to all eight honourees, recognising their inspiring efforts and significant contributions in service to society
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