UPDATE - 1 killed in attack on church in Istanbul

UPDATES WITH STATEMENTS BY ISTANBUL GOVERNOR, CHANGES BYLINE

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) – Two unidentified armed men opened fire on people attending Sunday service at a church in Istanbul's Sariyer district, killing one, officials said.

Confirming the fatality, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the incident occurred at 11:40 a.m. local time (0840GMT) at the Santa Maria Church in the Buyukdere neighborhood.

“A large-scale investigation” is underway to catch the suspects, Yerlikaya stated on X, adding: “We strongly condemn this heinous attack.”

The reasons for the attack are still unknown.

Following the attack, the police cordoned off the entire area in an attempt to apprehend the attackers. Citizens are not permitted to approach the scene due to security precautions.

“Those who threaten the peace and security of our citizens will never achieve their goals,” Türkiye’s Justice and Development (AK) Party spokesperson Omer Celik said in a brief statement on X.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gul also spoke to reporters about the incident.

Stating that he “strongly condemns this heinous attack,” he said that a 52-year-old man was killed by two masked armed men.

“There are no injured,” he said.

​​​​​​​

* Writing by Merve Berker