A gunman dressed as Santa Claus killed at least 35 people at a Reina Club in Istanbul, Turkey, in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. From the Associated Press:
An armed assailant who is believed to have been dressed in a Santa Claus costume opened fire at a nightclub in Istanbul during New Year’s celebrations, killing at least 35 people and wounding 40 others, according to Istanbul’s governor Vasip Sahin and Turkey’s state-run news agency.Sahin called the incident a “terror attack” but did not say who might have carried it out.
The AP continued:
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.An AP photographer says police cordoned off the area about 2 miles (3 kilometers) away from the nightclub and reported multiple ambulances passing by.
Hurriyet News Daily has reported that the government has issued a gag order, which means information will become scarce:
Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) also announced a gag order regarding the attack.Meanwhile, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ has condemned the attack, saying that “no terror attack will destroy our unity.””No terror attack will destroy our unity and fraternity,” he tweeted.
The White House has issued a statement:
Some pictures have emerged on social media:
*This is a developing story. I will update as more information becomes available.*
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