Islamic State claims responsibility for Istanbul attack

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, accompanied by Health Minister Recep Akdag (L) and Minister of Family and Social Policies Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya (R), talks to media after he visited survivors of the nightclub attack at a hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, January 1, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION

The United Nations (UN) Security Council said in a statement released Sunday that its members "condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and barbaric terrorist attack" on the Istanbul nightclub.

"They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of Turkey and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured," said the statement.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, in a statement to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressed his condolences on Sunday.

"In my personal name and that of the whole European Commission, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to you and my solidarity with the victims and their loved ones," he said.

"We strongly condemn all acts of terrorism and confirm our continued commitment to working with the authorities of Turkey in preventing and combating these threats effectively," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Johannes Hahn, commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, said in a joint statement.

The Chinese government condemned the terrorist attack Sunday.

Flowers are placed in front of a police barrier near the entrance of Reina nightclub by the Bosphorus, which was attacked by a gunman, in Istanbul, Turkey, January 1, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

"China opposes all forms of terrorism and is willing to work with the Turkey and the international community to maintain regional and world peace and security," Chinese Foreign Minister spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has sent a message of condolences to his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, according to Hua.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message to Turkey's leader, saying that "it is hard to imagine a more cynical crime than killing innocent people during New Year celebrations."

"However, terrorists don't share moral values. Our common duty is to combat terrorists' aggression," Putin said.

The White House condemned what it called a "horrific terrorist attack" and offered US help to Turkey.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel denounced "an inhumane, sneaky attack on people who wanted to celebrate."

Countries including Brazil, Finland, Greece, Iran, Nepal, Portugal and Singapore also condemned the attack.