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Istanbul: At least 35 killed, 40 injured after 'santa' gunmen open fire in a nightclub

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 11 February 2017, 5:47 IST

At least 35 people were killed and 40 wounded when a gunmen reportedly dressed as santa claus stormed and open fired in an elite nightclub in Turkey, Istanbul on the intervening night of 31 December and 1 January 2017.

The two gunmen on entering the venue opened fired inside the Reina nightclub, situated in Ortakoy district of Istanbul - known as one of the city's most exclusive party spots.

First aid officers carry an injured woman at the site of an armed attack on January 1, 2017 in Istanbul.

An international news agency quoted Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin as saying, "He entered the club and attacked innocent people who were there to celebrate the new year. It was a cruel, cold-blooded act," the governor said.

"Unfortunately, at least 35 of our citizens lost their lives. One was a police officer. Forty people are receiving treatment in hospitals."

CNN quoted a victim as saying, "I got shot in the (expletive) leg, man. These crazy people came in shooting everything."

Turkish anti-riot police officers stand guard at the site of an armed attack January 1, 2017 in Istanbul.

"What happened today is a terror attack," Sahin added.

According to media reports, many party-goers threw themselves into the Bosphorus in panic after the attack and efforts were underway to rescue them from the waters.

Turkish special force police officers and ambulances are seen at the site of an armed attack January 1, 2017 in Istanbul.
A first aid officer reacts at the site of an armed attack January 1, 2017 in Istanbul.

Turkey's state-run media reported that some of the witnesses claimed that the gunmen were speaking in Arabic.

However, there have been no claims for the terror attack.

A Turkish police officers stands guard on the site of an armed attack January 1, 2017 in Istanbul.
First published: 1 January 2017, 8:47 IST