Story By: Les Steed, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency:  Newsflash

A ‘brilliant and beautiful’ 23-year-old female student has been murdered in a shooting at the entrance to a nightclub in a Turkish seaside resort.

Turkish police have confirmed they are hunting the killers of student Ipek Harbelioglu in southern Turkey who drove up on motorbikes while firing guns.

Two other clubgoers were also injured in the attack that happened on the ring road in the district of Defne in the Bay district of Hatay.

Ms Harbelioglu was taken to hospital where she was declared dead in spite of the best efforts of doctors.

Her family, described her as both ‘brilliant and beautiful’ and said she had been studying International Trade and Finance at Mugla Sitkı Kocman University before moving on to study Foreign Trade at Anadolu University.

At the time of her death, she was completing her studies in Economics at Mustafa Kemal University and was also working at the same time to fund her studies.

Police said it was unclear if it was an attack on her specifically, or an attack on the club.

However, following a number of attacks on women in the country, her murder has sparked outcry on Turkish social media, with hundreds decrying violence against women under the hashtag #ipekharbelioglu.

Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward and say they are currently still looking for the attackers who have not yet been identified.

Hatay, with its extensive beaches, is promoted as a city for all seasons, with the Arsuz Karaagac Beach especially popular in summer.

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