(VOVworld) – At least 39 people were killed and 40 others injured in an attack on Reina nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey, during New Year's Eve celebrations, said Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin, who was insisted this was a terror attack.

First aid officers carry an injured woman at the site of an armed attack in Istanbul (Photo: AFP)

The attackers were reportedly dressed in Santa Claus costumes, speaking Arabic, and holding rifles. An eyewitness said he saw several bodies lying on the ground and some others reported an explosion.

The death toll may rise as it was estimated that between 700 and 800 people could have been in the club at the time of the armed attack.

The world community has voiced strong opposition against this cruel act. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called it a “tragic start to 2017”. Turkey’s Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Twitter that “Turkey will continue its determined and effective combat to root out terror".