At least 35 killed, 40 injured in Istanbul nightclub terrorist attack
RT,
1 January, 2017
At
least one gunman dressed as Santa has attacked a night club in
Istanbul, killing and injuring scores of people, Turkish media
report. Footage shows armored police vehicles surrounding the
building as ambulances are rushed to the scene.
The attack took place at the well-known Reina nightclub in the Ortakoy neighborhood, in Istanbul’s Besiktas district.
"A
terrorist with a long-range weapon... brutally and savagely carried
out this incident by firing bullets at innocent people who were there
solely to celebrate the New Year and have fun," Sahin told media
at the scene of the attack.
Previously,
it was reported that two gunmen were involved in the attack.
Speaking
about the circumstances of the attack, Şahin said that the assailant
first killed the police officer, who was standing at the door of the
club, and then went on a rampage inside, killing innocent civilians.
Eyewitnesses
at the club said that the attacker was speaking Arabic, Turkish media
are reporting.
The
gunman was dressed in Santa Claus outfits, wielding assault rifle,
Turkish media said.
ilhan tanir
Attackers w kaleshnikovs reportedly still inside famous #Reina club.
Seen several dead & injured people footage & photos. #IstanbulAttacked.
The
attacker opened fire on clubgoers, injuring at least 20-30, according
to NTV. One of the gunmen has reportedly hidden inside the club,
while the whereabouts of the second one were not immediately clear.
The
number of casualties may rise, as it is estimated that between 700
and 800 people could have been in the club at the time of the attack,
Mynet Haber reports.
Emergency
crews have been evacuating injured people from the building as police
search the area.
After
the attacker stormed into the building, some club-goers jumped into
the sea in panic, Turkish media cited eyewitnesses as saying. A
search and rescue operation for those who jumped in the water is
being carried out by maritime police.
The
owner of the Reina’s nightclub, Mehmet Koçarslan, has claimed that
the club had been warned about a possible attack, and that the
information came from US intelligence services. Security measures had
been taken, he added.
“US
intelligence warned about such an attack about one week or 10 days
ago – and measures have been taken, including [on] the sea front.
And look what has happened,” Koçarslan told Turkish daily
Hurriyet.
US
President Barack Obama has offered to help Turkey with the
investigation, White House spokesman Eric Schultz said in a
statement, saying that Obama “directed his team to offer
appropriate assistance to the Turkish authorities.”
Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been informed of the terrorist
attack and is being updated on the latest developments in the
situation, CNN Turk reports.
Messages
of condolence have been pouring in for Turkey in the aftermath of the
attack.
“Our
thoughts are with victims and their loved ones. We continue to work
to prevent these tragedies,” EU foreign policy chief Federica
Mogherini published in Twitter message.
NATO
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the attack “a tragic
start to 2017.”
He
posted on Twitter: "My thoughts are with those affected by the
attack on people celebrating New Year and with the Turkish people.”
Apple’s
CEO Tim Cook extended his condolences to the Turkish people in
another Twitter post, this one penned in Turkish.
“Dear
Turkey, we share your pain and sorrow. Istanbul, our heart is with
you,” the message read.
DETAILS
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Jewish Breaking News
breaking An armed attack on a local club, Reina, in #Istanbul. Many casualties reported. At least 2 dead and over 50 ambulances on scene
AnonymousScandinavia
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