- Title: Germany condemns Turkey attack, says German citizens among victims
- Date: 2nd January 2017
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (JANUARY 2, 2017) (REUTERS) NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GERMAN CHANCELLERY, GEORG STREITER AND SPOKESPERSON FOR GERMANY'S FOREIGN OFFICE, MARTIN SCHAEFER, AT NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (German) SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GERMAN CHANCELLERY, GEORG STREITER, SAYING: "The German government sharply condemns yesterday's attack in Istanbul. Yesterday, the chancellor gave her condolences to Turkish president Erdogan, and I quote: 'Once more terrorists have attacked your country. In Istanbul they carried out a barbaric, despicable attack on people who were celebrating the New Year together. I condemn this attack and offer you my condolences. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends'." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (German) SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GERMAN CHANCELLERY, GEORG STREITER, SAYING: "We are horrified at the hatred of attackers who indiscriminately kill and wound those who are peacefully celebrating. We feel particularly connected to the victims and their families after we were the target of a similar attack with a similar objective on a Christmas market here in Berlin. The German government stands by Turkey's side in the international fight against terrorism." JOURNALIST (SOUNDBITE) (German) SPOKESPERSON FOR GERMANY'S FOREIGN OFFICE MARTIN SCHAEFER, SAYING: "We believe that two of the victims who died were from Germany - meaning that they lived here. One of them is definitely a German and Turkish citizen. At the moment we believe the other one was a Turkish national, but we still need to confirm this. Both of the victims lived in Bavaria. In addition, I can inform you that three German citizens were wounded in the attack. They are receiving medical care and are not in a life-threatening condition." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 17th January 2017 11:36
- Keywords: Turkey attack nightclub Germany
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Crime
- Reuters ID: LVA0015XDZQ6F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Germany on Monday (January 2) condemned the attack on an Istanbul night club that killed 39 people and said that German nationals were among the dead and wounded.
"The German government sharply condemns yesterday's attack in Istanbul," chancellery spokesman Georg Streiter told a regular government news conference, adding that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had given her condolences to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
The New Year's Day mass shooting in the Reina nightclub was carried out by a gunman who remains at large. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was revenge for Turkish military involvement in Syria.
A spokesman for Germany's foreign office said that two German residents were killed and three German citizens wounded.
"We believe that two of the victims who died were from Germany - meaning that they lived here. One of them is definitely a German and Turkish citizen. At the moment we believe the other one was a Turkish national, but we still need to confirm this. Both of the victims lived in Bavaria," Martin Schaefer said.
Schaefer added that three German citizens who were injured were receiving medical care and were not in a life-threatening condition.
The attack at Reina, popular with Turkish celebrities and wealthy visitors, shook Turkey as it tries to recover from a failed July coup and a series of deadly bombings in Istanbul and elsewhere, some blamed on Islamic State, others claimed by Kurdish militants.
Around 600 people were thought to be inside when the gunman shot dead a policeman and civilian at the door, forcing his way in, then opening fire with an automatic assault rifle.
Security services had been on alert across Europe for New Year celebrations following an attack on a Christmas market in Berlin that killed 12 people. Only days ago, an online message from a pro-Islamic State group called for attacks by "lone wolves" on "celebrations, gatherings and clubs". - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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