28-1-2024 (ISTANBUL) Two assailants launched an armed attack on an Italian church in Istanbul during a religious ceremony on Sunday (Jan 28), leaving one person dead, Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed.
The incident took place at approximately 11:40 pm local time at the Santa Maria church in Istanbul’s Sariyer district. The attackers, wearing masks, targeted the church during the ceremony and quickly fled the scene after the shooting. Authorities have initiated an investigation to apprehend the assailants.
Television footage captured the presence of police and an ambulance outside the ornate church as the situation unfolded.
Minister Yerlikaya stated that an individual identified only as C.T., who was attending the service, tragically lost their life in the armed attack. He strongly condemned the act, expressing his condolences to the victim’s family.
Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkey’s ruling AKP party, emphasized that security forces are conducting an extensive investigation into the incident. He affirmed that those who threaten the peace and security of citizens will not succeed in their goals.
TURKEY
Terrorists wearing masks and carrying guns stormed Santa Maria Catholic Church in Sarıyer, Istanbul and opened fire.
At least two people have died and many more are injured. pic.twitter.com/LJ6zVldhXA
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) January 28, 2024
Following the news, Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with the Santa Maria Draperis Church community in Istanbul during his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square.
While local media reports suggested that others may have been injured in the attack, official confirmation has not yet been provided by authorities. The motive behind the assault remains unclear at this time.
It is worth noting that in December of the previous year, Turkish security forces detained 32 individuals with alleged links to Islamic State jihadists. The suspects were reportedly planning attacks on churches, synagogues, and the Iraqi embassy.
Turkey has experienced several terrorist incidents perpetrated by Islamic State extremists, including the notorious nightclub attack in Istanbul in 2017, which claimed the lives of 39 people.
