At least 39 people are dead and 69 others have been wounded in an armed attack on a nightclub in Turkey’s Istanbul, the interior minister announced Sunday.

According to reports, the gunman, wearing a Santa Claus costume, killed a police officer and a civilian before he entered the Reina club and opened fire at the people who were celebrating the New Year in the early hours of Sunday.

According to Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, 21 of the victims have been identified, of whom 16 are foreign nationals and five are Turks.

Four of the wounded are in critical condition, said the official, adding, “The search for the terrorist continues… I hope (the assailant) will be captured quickly, God willing.”

Earlier, Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin told reporters at the scene, “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.”

Some 500 to 600 people are thought to have been present at the club when the attack happened. Many jumped into the nearby Bosphorus Strait to avoid being shot and were later rescued by police.

Source: Websites