Turkey: Shooting at a Catholic church in Istanbul - Reports of 1 dead

Two people wearing masks entered the church during the service and opened fire - "Deplorable attack, we are looking for the perpetrators", said the Turkish interior minister.

An armed attack occurred on Sunday morning at the Catholic Church of Santa Maria in Istanbul during the service.

According to the information of the DHA news agency, one person died.

Specifically, two people wearing masks entered the Catholic Church of Santa Maria in the Sarıyer neighbourhood of Istanbul and opened fire on the people inside the hall. One person died in the shooting.

The area was blockaded after the attack on the service that started at 11.00 a.m. (local time). A large number of police teams were dispatched to the scene.

At this moment, it is unclear what the motive behind the attack was and whether it is linked to any group.

The church is located on the popular Istiklal Avenue, a busy shopping street on the European side of the city. It is recalled that six people were killed in a bombing on the avenue, close to Taksim Square, in November 2022.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stressed that an investigation had been launched into the incident, adding that "during the service at the Santa Maria Church in Sarıyer district, a man who was attending the service was attacked with a gun by two people wearing masks and unfortunately lost his life. A large-scale investigation into the matter has been launched, and efforts are being made to arrest the perpetrators. We strongly condemn this despicable attack."

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu stated, "We will never allow those who try to destroy our unity and peace by attacking the places of worship in our city," in a message on X.

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