ISTANBUL: Two assailants launched an armed assault on an Italian church in Istanbul throughout a non secular ceremony on Sunday (Jan 28), leaving one individual lifeless, Turkey’s inside minister mentioned.
The assault occurred at round 11.40pm native time on the Santa Maria church within the Sariyer district of Istanbul and was carried out by two masked males, Ali Yerlikaya mentioned on social media.
An investigation had been launched to seek out the attackers, he added, who fled the scene after the capturing.
Tv photos confirmed police and an ambulance outdoors the ornate church.
The minister mentioned a person recognized solely as C.T. – who was amongst these attending Sunday’s service – had died after the armed assault.
“We strongly condemn this vile assault,” Yerlikaya mentioned.
Turkey’s ruling AKP occasion spokesman Omer Celik mentioned the attackers took intention at a citizen throughout the mass.
“Our safety forces are conducting a large-scale investigation into the matter,” he mentioned.
“Those that threaten the peace and safety of our residents won’t ever obtain their targets.”
“I specific my closeness to the neighborhood of the Santa Maria Draperis Church in Istanbul,” Pope Francis mentioned on the finish of his weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Sq. on the Vatican.
Native media reported that others have been injured within the assault, however this was not instantly confirmed by the authorities.
The motive for the assault was additionally not instantly clear.
In December final 12 months, Turkish safety forces detained 32 suspects over alleged hyperlinks with Islamic State jihadists who have been planning assaults on church buildings and synagogues, in addition to the Iraqi embassy.
Islamic State extremists have carried out a string of assaults on Turkish soil, together with in opposition to a nightclub in Istanbul in 2017 that left 39 individuals lifeless.
