Manhunt underway for gunman in New Year massacre at Istanbul nightclub

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A manhunt continues for at least one gunman who shot 39 people dead during New Year’s Eve in an upscale Istanbul nightclub and remains at large.

“Our security forces have started the necessary operations. God willing, he will be caught in a short period of time,” Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said.

First aid officers carry an injured woman at the site of an armed attack on January 1, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey. /CFP Photo

The attacker killed a policeman and a tourist agent at around 1:15 a.m. before entering the Reina club on the shores of the Bosporus straight and gunning down partygoers inside, according to Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin.

Nearly two-thirds of those killed were foreign visitors, with many from across the Middle East. Some of the deceased were identified as coming from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Israel, as well as Morocco and Libya. About 70 others were hospitalized, with four in critical condition.

Relatives of the victims gather neat the area at Ortakoy district near night club Reina on January 1, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey. /CFP Photo

The assailant was said in his mid-20s and heard speaking Arabic. He left a gun inside the venue and escaped in the ensuing chaos.

The massacre marks a disturbing start to 2017 for Turkey that had already been rocked by terrorist attacks over the past year.

Turkish police secure the area at Ortakoy district under Bosporus Bridge near night club Reina on January 1, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey. /CFP Photo

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented that the attack was an attempt to destabilize the country. "We are determined to destroy the attacks and threats against our country from its root," vowed the president in a written statement hours after the nightclub shooting.