At least 35 people are confirmed dead and as many as 40 more are wounded following a shooting at Istanbul’s Reina nightclub. Around 1:15 AM, January 1, assailants dressed in Santa Claus costumes opened fire on a crowd of 600 patrons. Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin has classified the incident as a terrorist attack. New York Times has reported the following: “Mr. Sahin said the attackers — initial reports said there had been as many as three — had fired on the police before heading inside the club.”

Gov. Sahin described the attack as beginning outside of the club:

“One person first kills the police officer outside, and then a civilian…Inside, he rained bullets brutally, mercilessly over innocent people who were there just to celebrate the New Year and have fun.”

UPDATE: ISIS has issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. 39 victims from 14 different countries have been confirmed dead at press time.

Dancing Astronaut will update this story as it continues to develop.

Via: New York Times.

Photo via Getty Images.

Tags: death, Istanbul, Nightclub, shooting

Categories: Music