Turkey has arrested a number of people of Uighur origin over a deadly nightclub attack that killed 39, BBC News reports citing the state-run news agency.

Those detained are believed to have come from China's Xinjiang region with ties to the attacker, Anadolu says.

Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak also said the suspect was probably Uighur, and acted alone but may have had help.

Police have already detained dozens over the deadly new year attack, but the main suspect remains on the run.

So-called Islamic State (IS) says it carried out the attack over Turkey's military involvement in the Syrian civil war.

The authorities have reportedly tightened security at Turkey's land borders and airports to prevent the attacker from fleeing the country.

Turkish media have run images of a suspect, saying the pictures were handed out by the police. But the police have given no official details.

The Turkish foreign minister has said the authorities have identified the attacker, but has not given further details.