ISTANBUL, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Turkish authorities razed to the ground the once-popular Reina nightclub in Istanbul on Monday.
The nightclub was the site of a shooting spree which killed 39 people in the first hours of this year.
The move was ordered by municipal authorities, who said in a statement that part of the nightclub, located in the Ortakoy neighborhood in the district of Besiktas, was built illegally.
"In accordance with the board decision, the demolition process was completed today for the parts of the building which breached the law," said the statement quoted by local media.
According to eyewitnesses, the demolition process took place early in the morning and was over in 45 minutes.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the shooting attack in the early hours of New Year's Day, when a lone gunman shot dead 39 people and wounded 69 others.
Turkish authorities are seeking utmost jail terms for the attacker, an Uzbek national, captured after over two weeks on the run.
Reina nightclub was a popular nightspot for tourists, celebrities and businessmen.
