EBN-Two assailants struck a Catholic church in Istanbul, plunging the morning worship into terror and resulting in the tragic death of a man.
The incident unfolded at the Church of Santa Maria during Sunday mass around 11:40 local time (08:40 GMT).
Turkey’s interior minister condemned the “heinous attack” and confirmed the launch of an investigation, with authorities actively pursuing the suspects.
Although the motive remains unclear, officials suggest a deliberate and targeted nature to the attack.
CCTV Footage Reveals Shocking Moment:
Turkish media released CCTV footage capturing the attack’s moment. Worshippers, facing the altar, witnessed two gunmen entering the church from behind.
The gunmen, seemingly following a man dressed in black, calmly exit after fatally shooting him.
The 19th Century church, located near a fish market by the Bosphorus on Istanbul’s European side, was cordoned off by police.
Investigators inside the church took statements from witnesses present during the attack.
The Turkish Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed the death of an individual identified as CT in the attack.
The victim, a 52-year-old man about to convert to Christianity, according to his uncle, was not baptized yet. Another relative mentioned his mental illness and denied he was the intended target.
Unified Response and Presidential Commitment:
Istanbul’s Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, pledged unity and peace, vowing not to let attacks disrupt the city’s harmony.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences and assured that “necessary steps” were underway to apprehend the killers within 24 hours.
The Pope extended support, expressing closeness to the Santa Maria church community during his weekly prayer at the Vatican.
Attacks on Turkey’s Christian minority are rare, and local authorities emphasized the harmonious coexistence of Muslims and Christians in the area, expressing shock within the community.
