One person was killed when two attackers opened fire on an Italian Catholic church in Istanbul on Sunday during a religious service, according to Turkey’s interior minister.
Two masked individuals carried out the attack at the Santa Maria church in Istanbul’s Sariyer district at approximately 11:40 (08:40 GMT), according to posts made by Ali Yerlikaya on social media.
He said that following the shooting, the attackers left the site, and an inquiry had been started to find them.
Police and an ambulance were visible outside the elaborate church in television footage.
The minister announced that one of the people in attendance at the ceremony on Sunday, C.T., had passed away as a result of the armed assault.
“We strongly condemn this vile attack,” Yerlikaya said.
According to Omer Celik; a spokesman for the ruling AKP party in Turkey, the attackers targeted a civilian during the mass.
“Our security forces are conducting a large-scale investigation into the matter,” he said.
“Those who threaten the peace and security of our citizens will never achieve their goals.”
Although the authorities did not immediately confirm it, local media indicated that there were further injuries sustained in the incident.
Additionally, the attack’s motivation was not immediately apparent.
32 people were seized by Turkish security officials in December of last year on suspicion of having ties to Islamic State (ISIS) militants who were preparing assaults against Iraqi embassies, churches, and synagogues.
Extremists affiliated with ISIS have carried out several assaults within Turkey, most notably the 2017 nightclub bombing in Istanbul that claimed 39 lives.