Armed attack on Santa Maria Church in Istanbul kills one person
ISTANBUL
Armed assailants have carried out an attack on an Italian church in Istanbul’s Sarıyer district during Sunday mass, claiming the life of one person, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has announced.
The attack occurred at around 11:40 a.m. on Jan. 28 when two masked assailants shot and killed a person identified only as C.T., who was among those attending the service on Jan. 28 at the Santa Maria Church, Yerlikaya stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Condemning the attack, the minister noted that an investigation has been opened, and police teams have launched efforts to apprehend the attackers who fled the scene after the shooting.
Security footage ahead of the attack showed a pair of men wearing black snow masks with their hands in their pockets and one was seen wearing black sunglasses.
Local officials said that around 40 people attended the mass. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül told reporters at the scene that there were no injuries. The motive for the attack was also not immediately clear.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences during a phone call with the priest of the Italian church and other local officials.
He assured that "necessary steps are being taken to catch the perpatrators as soon as possible,” according to his office.
Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesman Ömer Çelik said that the security forces have initiated a large-scale investigation into the attack.
"Those who threaten the peace and security of our citizens will never achieve their goals."
Meanwhile, Pope Francis expressed his support for the Catholic church following the attack.
"I express my closeness to the community of the Santa Maria Draperis church in Istanbul," the pope said at the end of his weekly Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed his "condolences and firm condemnation" over the attack, and backed the Turkish authorities to find the killers.
