Worshippers killed in shooting at church in Jordan
Two gunmen shot and killed at least seven people and wounded 34 others in an attack on a church in Jordan’s Karak region on Friday, the Public Security Directorate said.
State-owned broadcaster Al-Mamlaka reported that the gunmen got out of a vehicle and opened fire during a funeral procession at Hamoud Church. Some of the wounded are in critical condition, the report said.
An eyewitness told the station that the gunmen, one carrying a rifle and another carrying a pistol, fired continuously for several minutes before fleeing the scene.
Between 150 and 200 people were inside and around the church at the time, according to the witness, who added that most of the victims were aged between 50 and 70.
Jordan's King Abdullah said those behind the attack would be punished "with an iron fist".
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"The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation. Those who delude themselves into thinking that they can divide Jordanians with their bullets have no chance in the face of our unity," he said in a statement.
Jordan's interior minister said the attack was carried out by a group of extremists.
No one immediately claimed responsibility, and the attackers have yet to be identified.
Security forces were deployed to the church and were pursuing the suspects, Al-Mamlaka reported.
Jordanian authorities said an investigation was under way.
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