MASSACRE OF THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
Gunman on run after he murders 39 in exclusive Istanbul club
A GUNMAN was on the run last night after killing 39 revellers and injuring 69 others at an exclusive Istanbul nightclub on New Year’s Eve.
The terrorist fired an AK47 rifle indiscriminately at hundreds of glamorous partygoers at the venue which is popular with Hollywood stars.
Among the dead were Leanne Nasser, a 18-year-old Israeli on holiday with three friends, and a woman security guard Hatice Koc’un, 27.
Just the day before, Miss Koc’un, who leaves a three-year-old daughter, had posted pictures of herself on social media kissing a Turkish flag.
It is not known if any Britons were among the casualties.
The carnage unfolded 75 minutes into the new year as around 700 revellers gathered in the Reina club.
It is one of Istanbul’s most upmarket venues – but is seen by hardline Muslims as host to the capital’s sinful, secular elite. Previous visitors have included singers Kylie Minogue and Bono, as well as actors Daniel Craig and Uma Thurman.
CCTV footage shows the gunman killing a 21-year-old policeman and a partygoer outside the club before running inside to continue the slaughter. One clip shows him firing at those outside before people dive for cover as the killer approaches the entrance. One clubber – dressed in red – is left stranded as the gunman casually strolls up to him and guns him down.
One witness claimed he shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is great) before escaping. It was claimed the attacker had been dressed as Father Christmas after images appeared to show him in a Santa hat. But that was denied yesterday by Turkish PM Binali Yildirim. Witnesses told how terrified party-goers scrambled over
‘People walking on top of people’
blood-soaked bodies on the floor in a desperate attempt to escape. Some jumped into a freezing stretch of water behind the club known as the Bosporus to escape.
Lutfu Uyanik was shot three times as he leapt to protect his wife Sinem. Mrs Uyanik said: ‘Someone was spraying bullets. I had to lift several bodies from on top of me before I could get out.’ Her husband was treated for gunshot wounds yesterday and was in a stable condition.
Turkish football player Sefa Boydas said: ‘People were walking on top of people. We were talking about the possibility of attacks but we didn’t even think of it can happen at such a prestigious club.’
Police launched a major manhunt yesterday as politicians around the world condemned the attack.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: ‘They are working to destroy our country’s morale and create chaos. I vehemently condemn the terror attack in Istanbul’s Ortakoy neighbourhood in the first hours of 2017.’ US president Barack Obama offered condolences as Russian president Vladimir Putin said it was ‘hard to imagine a more cynical crime’. Prime Minister Theresa May wrote to the Turkish president.
Up to 24 foreign nationals were said to have been killed, including one from France, one from Belgium, seven Saudi Arabians, three Iraqis, two Lebanese, two Tunisians, two Indians. One each from Kuwait, Syria, Israel and a Canadian-Iraqi were also killed. Of the dead, 25 are men and 14 women. No one has yet claimed responsibility.
The attack took place despite increased security measures in the wealthy neighbourhood. Club owner Mehmet Kocarslan said: ‘I am in deep sorrow. My friends, my guests are dead. Despite all these precautions by police forces, unfortunately this painful event took place.’
Just hours later, a gunman opened fire on an Istanbul mosque. Two people were taken to hospital and are in a stable condition.
It follows a year of unprecedented bloodshed in the country that saw hundreds die in at least 17 strikes blamed on jihadists and Kurdish militants – and a bloody failed coup which left 248 dead. Holiday bookings to Turkey were down 40 per cent last summer and are set to plummet further. The Foreign Office has urged British tourists in the country to take extra care.