Gunman kills atleast 39, injures 69 in Istanbul nightclub

DEBKAfile was founded by a team of journalists in June 2000 as an independent Internet Web site, providing an intelligence and security news service. January 1, 2017, 11:31 AM (IDT)

The terrorist dressed as Santa Claus went on a shooting rampage in the high-end Reina nightclub in Istanbul where some 700 revelers were celebrating the New Year. He killed at least 39 people, including the policeman on guard outside and injured about 69 more, before escaping, Two of the injured were Israeli women from Tira – one was initially reported missing and identified as Leone Zahar Nasser, 19.

Among the victims, 15 foreigners and five Turkish citizens had been identified by Sunday morning. The gunman is the object of a police manhunt. The nightclub is frequented by socialites, artists and football stars.  Some of them jumped in the waters of the Bosporus to escape the attack. No organization has claimed the attack that took place on the European side of Istanbul which was secured by police for New Year events.

Last month, a terrorist attack near the Istanbul football stadium claimed 44 lives.

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