An armed attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69, four of them critically, at an Istanbul nightclub early Sunday, the interior minister said.

According to Anadolu Agency of Turkey, Suleyman Soylu told reporters that 21 victims have been identified.

"16 of the victims are foreigners while the other five are Turkish citizens," the minister said, adding that efforts continue to identify the other 18 bodies.

Soylu said police forces were hunting down the terrorist.