ISTANBUL, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) on Monday claimed responsibility for an attack early Sunday that killed 39 and injured 69 others in an Istanbul nightclub, Turkish media reported.

Hurriyet daily news said the IS made the claim in a statement posted on social media.

A gunman stormed Reina nightclub early Sunday and shot at hundreds of people gathering there for New Year celebrations, leaving at least 39 dead and over 60 others injured. Many of the victims were foreign nationals.

Police have launched a manhunt for the gunman, who remains on the run after fleeing the nightclub in chaos.