BREAKING: Gunmen dressed as Santa kill 35 in New Year’s Eve terror attack in Istanbul

Police secure the area after a gun attack on Reina, a popular night club in Istanbul near the Bosphorus, shortly after midnight on Sunday in Istanbul. The governor said 35 people were killed and dozens more have been wounded. Photo by STR/European Pressphoto Agency

ISTANBUL, Turkey, Dec. 31 (UPI) — Turkish officials said at least 35 people were killed and dozens more wounded when gunmen disguised in Santa suits opened fire inside an Istanbul nightclub on New Year’s Eve.

CNN Turk reported the attack took place at a nightclub in the Besiktas neighborhood. The European Pressphoto Agency reported the name of the nightclub as Reina, a popular spot for young people. Images from the scene showed a heavy police presence around the perimeter of the club.

The New York Times reported the club was packed with an estimated 600 patrons when shots rang out around 1:15 a.m. local time.

The state-run Anadula news agency quoted Istanbul Gov. Vasip Sahin, saying a gunman shot a police officer providing security and another person to gain entry to the club, where civilians were targeted “by spraying bullets on innocent people who were celebrating the New Year.”

Sahin called the incident a “terror attack.”

The attackers have not been identified and it was unclear how many people were involved in the plot. Initial reports suggested as many as three shooters. It was also not immediately known if they remain at large or were killed by police responding to the incident.

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