‘Another deadly attack hit Istanbul overnight, killing at least 39 men and women and injuring dozens more, while they were celebrating the beginning of the New Year. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and  friends of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those, who have been injured” – said HR Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn in a joint statement, reacting to the  New Year’s attack in Istanbul.

Reportedly at present 39 people including foreigners have been  killed by a gunman in a popular nightclub  Riena in Istanbul at 01:30 local time (22:30 GMT) amid New Year party, while 69 received medical treatment, among them four injured are in critical condition.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to “fight to the end” against terrorism.

The Istanbul attack followed 10 days after the brutal assassination of Russian ambassador Karlov in Ankara (20/12) at opening of an exhibition in a cultural centre. The experts on counter-terrorism blamed the tragedy to negligence of security measures, allowing the perpetrator to enter the place  armed.