Istanbul nightclub attack: 35 dead after shooting at NYE celebration, governor says

A gunman shot his way into an Istanbul nightclub packed with New Year's revellers early on Sunday, killing at least 35 people and wounding more than 40 in what the provincial governor described as a terrorist attack.

Key points:

• Istanbul city governor condemned the "terrorist attack" on the popular Reina nightclub
• Around 500-600 people were thought to be in the club when the attack happened
• The attacker was believed to have entered the premises dressed as Santa Claus, local media reported

The assailant shot a police officer and a civilian as he entered the Reina nightclub before opening fire at random inside.

"A terrorist with a long-range weapon… brutally and savagely carried out this incident by firing bullets on innocent people who were there solely to celebrate the New Year and have fun," governor Vasip Sahin told reporters at the scene.

Around 500-600 people were thought to have been in the club when the attack happened at around 1:15am local time, broadcaster CNN Turk said.
The club lies on the shore of the Bosphorus Strait in the Ortakoy district, and some jumped into the water to save themselves and were being rescued by police.