Two masked ISIS terrorist targeted a Catholic church in Istanbul during a Sunday Mass, resulting in one fatality, as reported by Turkish officials.
The armed attack occurred at 11:40 a.m. at the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district, according to a statement by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on the X platform. The specifics of the weapons used and whether there were additional injuries were not disclosed.
Although Turkish authorities did not formally identify the victim, local media indicated that the deceased individual, with the initials C.T., was 52 years old.
Later, Yerlikaya announced the arrest of two men, described as members of the Islamic State extremist movement and suspected attackers.
One suspect hails from Tajikistan, and the other is from Russia, revealed Yerlikaya in a news conference just after midnight. He added that, as part of the investigation into the attack, police had conducted raids at 30 locations and detained 47 individuals.
Yerlikaya emphasized the nation’s commitment to maintaining peace, stating, “We will never tolerate those who try to disrupt the peace of our country — terrorists, their collaborators, both national and international criminal groups, and those who aim at our unity and solidarity.”
A brief video circulating on social media appears to capture the moment of the attack, showing two masked men entering the church and opening fire, prompting attendees to take cover. The assailants then flee.
Turkish authorities imposed a media ban on coverage of the attack.
Sukru Genc, the mayor of the Sariyer district, recounted that the gunmen fled when their weapon jammed after firing two rounds. He mentioned that among the attendees was Polish Consul General Witold Lesniak and his family, all unharmed in the incident.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended condolences to Lesniak and Santa Maria’s priest, Rev. Anton Bulai. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu expressed condolences and support for religious minorities in the city, emphasizing, “There are no minorities in this city or this country. We are all actual citizens,” during a statement to reporters.
Pope Francis acknowledged the attack in his remarks at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, expressing solidarity with the community of the church in Istanbul and condemning the armed assault.
“I express my closeness to the community of (the church) in Istanbul, which during the Mass suffered an armed attack with one dead and some wounded,” the pontiff said.
The church is administered by an Italian order of Franciscan friars, and the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, conveyed condolences and condemned the attack, expressing confidence in the Turkish authorities’ ability to apprehend those responsible.