Jordan death toll climbs to nine after gun attack on Greek Orthodox church
Jordan's health minister announced that the death count from the gunfire assault on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak has risen to nine, with 25 people still receiving treatment.
The death toll from the recent attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, has risen to nine after two seriously injured victims died, according to Health Minister Ibrahim al-Bndur. Twenty-five additional victims are still in hospital. The gunmen entered the church grounds during a funeral ceremony and opened fire on the crowd, according to the Public Security Directorate, which has not yet apprehended the perpetrators.
Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraji described the incident as a rare extremist attack on the country's Christian community. King Abdullah labeled the assault a terrorist act, promised the toughest penalties for the culprits, and visited the injured at the Karak hospital. Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan ordered three days of national mourning, with government buildings flying flags at half-mast. The Karak governorate, home to a notable Christian minority that makes up roughly 2-3% of Jordan's population, has been shaken by the violence.
Why it matters
The attack highlights sectarian violence risks in Jordan and prompts a strong government response to protect minorities.
How this story developed
- Oct 23 Six dead and dozens wounded in gun attack on Karak funeral church
- Oct 23 The reported death toll has risen to seven and the number of injured has been updated to 34.
- Oct 24 Security forces have stepped up patrols at malls, diplomatic missions and other public sites across Jordan.
- Oct 24 A survivor said an attacker pointed a handgun at him during the shooting.
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