The attack in Istanbul

At least 39 people were killed and 69 were injured as a result of an attack on the Reina Night Club in Istanbul, Hürriyet reports with reference to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Turkey Suleiman Soilu.

Several wounded are in critical condition. Among the dead are 16 foreigners. The police are searching for the attacker.

Governor Istanbul Vasip Shahin said that one of the dead was a police officer. He also called an attack by a terrorist attack. Shahin added that one person made an attack. Earlier it was reported that there were two attackers.

The Reina Club, on which the attack was made, is located in the Ortax area. The club was popular among local residents and foreigners. It is reported that at the time of the attack there were more than 600 people.

At about 1:30 local time (coincides with the Moscow), an armed automaton of Kalashnikov in a costume of Santa Claus entered the room and opened fire. Some visitors to the club in a panic jumped to Bosphorus, trying to escape.

It is reported that about a week ago the Turkish authorities received a warning from the US intelligence services about a possible terrorist attack of this type. The security in Istanbul on New Year's Eve was provided by 25 thousand security forces, but it was not possible to prevent the attack.

The representative of the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul said that there are no Russian citizens among the dead and the wounded during the attack.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the aim of the attack was to destabilize the country and "sow chaos." As a nation, we will maintain our composure, unite and will never retreat before such dirty games, ”said the Turkish leader.

The condolences in connection with the attack have already been expressed by US President Barack Obama, the head of the diplomacy of the European Union Federic Moherorini, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Vladimir Putin also directed his condolences to Erdogan. The Russian President confirmed that in the fight against terrorism Russia was and remains a reliable partner of Turkey.

In Turkey, terrorist attacks are regularly performed. On December 10, in the center of Istanbul , 38 people died and another 155 were injured as a result of two explosions committed on Saturday evening at the Vodafone Arena stadium. The terrorist attack occurred around 22:20 local time, an hour and a half after the end of the football match between the teams of the Turkish Super League.

The first bomb exploded in a moving car. After 45 seconds, a nearby suicide bomber, the explosive device, was driven by an explosive device. 30 out of 38 dead - police officers. Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmush noted that the immediate goal of the attack was precisely the police on duty at the stadium from the unit to combat the riots.