IS claims New Year's attack on Istanbul nightclub

At least 39 people were killed and nearly 70 injured in the mass shooting that took place in front of and inside a popular Istanbul nightclub in the first hours of New Year's Day.

The victims included citizens of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iraq, France, Tunisia, India, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, Canada, Israel, Syria, Belgium, Germany and Russia

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto expressed condolences on the terrorist attack. 

“I send my condolences to the families of those killed in the New Year's attack on Istanbul nightclub. I wish the wounded a speedy recovery” The president wrote on his Twitter account.

The IS-linked Aamaq News Agency said the attack was carried out by a "heroic soldier of the caliphate" who attacked the nightclub "where Christians were celebrating their pagan feast."

Turkish police meanwhile detained eight people in connection with the attack but were still hunting for the gunman who disappeared amid the chaos of the attack.