Death toll rises to seven after armed attack on church funeral in central Jordan

UPDATE - follow-up to Six shot dead by gunmen at church funeral in Jordan, officials say: Seven people are now confirmed dead following an armed assault on a funeral inside a church in central Jordan, with thirty-four others sustaining injuries.

What Happened

Gunmen arrived in a car at a Greek Orthodox church in Hmoud, located in the Karak governorate, on Friday while between 150 and 200 people were inside for a funeral. The attackers entered the building and opened fire before escaping. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya stated that authorities are actively searching for the perpetrators, whom he termed a group of extremists, and called the incident unparalleled in the history of the country. Verified CCTV footage shows three armed men approaching the church grounds. Officials initially reported seven deaths, briefly revised the figure to six, and then confirmed the final death toll at seven.

Reactions

Jordan's King Abdullah II stated that authorities would punish the attackers with the harshest penalties and visited the hospital where the injured are being treated. Security forces have tightened measures around the medical facility amid a tense atmosphere and anger from grieving families. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned the assault as a heinous act that violated the sanctity of death and mourners.

Context

Attacks of this nature are rare in Jordan, which has a majority-Muslim population alongside a sizeable Christian community in Karak. Investigations and manhunts following such incidents typically involve extensive coordination among regional security forces to track down fleeing suspects.