The serenity of Sunday mass at Santa Maria Church in Sarıyer district of Istanbul, Turkey, was shattered by an armed attack, resulting in one fatality and a number of injuries.
Two assailants wearing ski masks stormed into the church, unleashing gunfire on the congregation and causing mayhem as the worshippers dove for cover in a desperate attempt to avoid the bullets.
The attack, which saw one individual tragically lose their life to a bullet in the head, has left the community in shock and mourning.
While the perpetrators managed to escape the scene, the Turkish authorities are on high alert, with statements from the Interior Ministry and the Governorate of Istanbul expected to shed light on the attack. The motive and affiliations of the attackers remain unclear, and investigations are underway to apprehend those responsible for this act of violence.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya commented on the event, confirming that the attack occurred around 11:40am and resulted in the death of one person, identified only as C.T.
