Turkish Police Release First Picture Of Prime Suspect In Istanbul Nightclub Attack

Turkish police have released the first picture of the prime suspect in the Istanbul nightclub attack in which 39 people were gunned down. The unnamed man (pictured right) is described as being from a Muslim region of Western China, Afghanistan or Chechnya.

Turkish intelligence reportedly believes that the suspect is a member of the East Turkestan branch of

ISIS but still do not know his name or precise nationality.

Mother-of-one Hatice Koc'un (pictured left) was among those murdered during the attack.

She was working at the Reina nightclub on the night of the attack, as Turkey requires a female guard to be present to search women guests.

Turkish police have launched a major manhunt for the attacker, who Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim revealed left his weapon inside the venue and escaped by 'taking advantage of the chaos' that ensued. He added that reports that the attacker wore a Santa Claus hat were incorrect as it was widely reported all over the world.