One year after Turkey's nightclub attack, many still haunted by loss

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One year ago, a gunman entered one of Istanbul's most popular clubs and sprayed bullets at the people inside, killing 39 people and wounding over 70 on the first day of the New Year in 2017.

Reina nightclub was a tourist hotspot with many foreigners among the injured and dead.

Now, at the beginning of 2018， more than one hundred people gathered to commemorate the victims at the scene of the attack. Leaders of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian community attended the event and offered their prayers. Carnations were laid in memory of those who lost their lives.

Reina attack anniversary commemoration in Istanbul. / CGTN Photo

Among those who attended are relatives of the victims.

“These Daesh people, ISIL members, they have nothing to do with Islam; a Muslim does not kill another Muslim,” said Tarik Arik, who lost his brother during the attack.

The assailant was an ISIL member with Uzbek origin, Abdulkadir Masharipov. He was captured 15 days after an unprecedented manhunt in Istanbul, with 2,000 police officers participating in the operation. Masharipov is now facing 40 aggravated life sentences in Istanbul courts.

Though no major attacks have taken place in Turkey since, some citizens still feel nervous. Many like Sedat who work in the nightlife industry say they have changed their daily routines due to fear of a potential attack.

Victims remembered at the scene of the Reina attack. / ‍CGTN Photo

“I see that people are constantly hesitant in their movement," Sedat says, adding he doesn’t feel safe and avoids crowded areas.

Nevertheless, that is not the case for everyone.

Many young Turks are defiant, saying that they will not be intimidated in the face of terrorism.

“I just think that at the end of the day countries are at war, countries continue fighting. I don’t want to postpone my life by thinking about this," said Meltem, an artist from Istanbul.

Relatives of the victims mourn at the Reina attack commemoration ceremony. / CGTN Photo

Turkish police has increased security measures as Turkey entered 2018. The government prohibited celebrations in public areas, and blocked large vehicles from traffic.

On Sunday December 31, Turkish police announced they had arrested 20 people, 15 of whom were foreign nationals, over links to ISIL.

The suspects were believed to be planning another New Year’s Eve attack in the country. Police forces continue to be on full alert as operations continue. Security will no doubt be a high priority for the Turkish government in 2018 as well.