Prime Minister says 265 people killed in attempted military coup, including at least 100 'plotters'

'The nation will never forget this betrayal'

Demonstrators take to the streets as tanks roll through Ankara

(Reuters)

At least 265 people were killed in last night's attempted coup, the Prime Minister of Turkey has said.

Binali Yildirim said the death toll included coup plotters, pro-government forces and civilians.

Earlier, Turkey’s acting military chief of staff Umit Dundar said 47 civilians and 104 “coup plotters” were killed after a faction of the Turkish armed forces attempted to overthrow the government.

General Dundar, who was appointed overnight after his predecessor was allegedly kidnapped, said those who took part in the coup “will not go unpunished”.

The attempt to overthrow the government was thwarted by those who “sided with democracy and the rule of law”, he said.

“The people have taken to the streets and voiced their support for democracy,” he said. “Turkey displayed a historic cooperation between the government and the people. The nation will never forget this betrayal."

“Our people should have no concern, that the era of coups and juntas has come to a close, never to be opened again.”

He said the Turkish military is determined to purge soldiers aligned with Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is living in exile in Pennsylvania.

“The armed forces is determined to remove members of the Gulen movement from its ranks. We will continue to serve the people. I would like to thank all political parties and the media for their support for democracy.”