One person dead after getting shot in head by two masked gunmen during church attack in Istanbul

One person dead after getting shot in head by two masked gunmen during church attack in Istanbul

Istanbul police secured the area around the church after masked gunmen started shooting

Reuters
Dimitris Kouimtsidis

By Dimitris Kouimtsidis


Published: 28/01/2024

- 11:00

Updated: 28/01/2024

- 13:02

Two "masked assailants" attacked the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district and are reportedly still on the run

Two masked gunmen killed one person during an attack on a church in Istanbul.

The "masked assailants" attacked the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district during Sunday mass at around 11:40am local time (9:40am UK time).


Turkish media have confirmed that a 52-year-old man has died after being shot in the head during the attack.

The attackers stormed the religious site in ski masks, before unleashing a barrage of bullets on the unsuspecting churchgoers.

Police corridors in IstanbulOne person has been killed in the attackReuters

One man was tragically killed, while other threw themselves on the ground to escape the bullets.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the gunmen managed to escape and according to Turkish media could still be at large in the city.

CCTV footage shared by local media show the two shooters walking through a car park.

The duo walk calmly with their hands in their pockets, as one of them checks the garage behind them.

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Santa Maria church in Istanbul

The attack took place at the Santa Maria church in Istanbul

Flickr

It is not clear whether the clip was from before or after their attack.

Turkish minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on social media: "Today, around 11.40, during the service at the Santa Maria Church in Sarıyer Büyükdere District, he was attacked with a gun by 2 people wearing masks and unfortunately he lost his life.

"A large-scale investigation into the issue and efforts to catch the attackers have been initiated.

"We strongly condemn this vile attack."

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu wrote: "We will never allow those who try to destroy our unity and peace by attacking the religious places of our city".

Pope Francis also issued a statement following the attack, expressing his support for the Catholic church.

He said: "I express my closeness to the community of the Santa Maria."

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, with the motive still unknown.

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