At least 39 people, including 16 foreigners, have died in an attack on a nightclub in Istanbul, the BBC quoted Turkey's interior minister as saying on Sunday.

Suleyman Soylu also revealed police were still hunting for the "terrorist" who attacked the Reina nightclub at about 01:30 local time (22:30 GMT).

For hours after the attack the authorities had said nothing about the whereabouts of the assailant.

Another 69 people were being treated in hospital, the minister added.

"The search for the terrorist continues... I hope (the attacker) will be captured quickly, God willing," Soylu said.

Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin earlier revealed a police officer had died in the attack.

"A terrorist with a long-range weapon ... brutally and savagely carried out this incident by firing bullets on innocent people who were there solely to celebrate the New Year and have fun," Sahin told reporters at the scene of the upmarket Reina nightclub in the the Ortakoy area on the banks of Bosphorus.

Source: MENA