In a tragic incident today, the Santa Maria Church in Istanbul, Türkiye, fell victim to an armed attack resulting in the loss of one life, as reported by reliable sources.
Masked assailants, reportedly armed, targeted the Santa Maria Church located in the Sarıyer Büyükdere area of Istanbul around 11:40 am on Sunday, January 28. The assailants struck during a worship service, causing panic and chaos among the congregation.
Ali Yerlikaya, Türkiye’s Minister of Internal Affairs, confirmed the attack in a statement on X, expressing the gravity of the situation as it unfolded during a religious gathering. Yerlikaya assured the public that comprehensive investigations are underway, and efforts to apprehend the attackers are actively being pursued.
As of now, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The motive behind this heinous act remains unclear.
The identity of the deceased victim has not been disclosed, adding to the somber nature of the incident.
This incident follows closely after Türkiye security forces detained 32 suspects in December of the previous year. These individuals were apprehended on charges related to their alleged association with the ISIS group. Authorities claimed that the detained suspects were part of a plot targeting churches, synagogues, and the Iraqi embassy in Türkiye.