A night of celebration and new beginnings turned to one of tragedy in Istanbul, Turkey on New Year’s Eve when a gunman shot his way into a packed nightclub, killing at least 39 people.
Some 500-600 people were in Reina nightclub, ringing in the New Year at around 1.15am (local time) when the attack occurred.
According to sources, the assailant gunned down a police officer and a civilian before making his way into the venue. He then opened fire at random, killing at least 39 people, including up to 16 foreigners, and injuring around 70 others.
Berlin. Now. #WeAreIstanbul #WeAreIstambul pic.twitter.com/votb4a2MBU
— Benjamin Denes (@berlinflaneur) January 2, 2017
Several clubbers attempted to escape the shore-side venue by jumping into ocean. Many were eventually rescued by police, however, a few including former Basketball player, Elias Wardini, are believed to have lost their lives in the water.
Police have confirmed that the gunman remains at large, but eight people have been arrested in connection to the attack.
In a statement, Turkey’s President, Tayyip Erdogan, said he will continue to fight against terror and urged citizens to remain cool-headed and to “never give ground to such dirty games”.
'He started firing and he didn't stop': @Reuters talks to survivors of Istanbul nightclub attack. https://t.co/3psNPQsjM9 pic.twitter.com/BtFXBAP2Kw
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 2, 2017
“They are trying to create chaos, demoralise our people, and destabilise our country with abominable attacks which target civilians.”
Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey President
“We will retain our cool-headedness as a nation, standing more closely together, and we will never give ground to such dirty games.”
The New Year’s Eve attack came less than a month after a twin bombing in Istanbul, which killed 38 people and injured 166 others.
Last year, Turkey experienced nine terror-related attacks, five to take place in Istanbul.
