Turkish forensic police stand in front of Santa Maria church after an attack, in Istanbul, on January 28, 2024. (Photo by Ozan Kose / AFP)
Istanbul: Two assailants launched an armed attack on an Italian church in Istanbul during a religious ceremony on Sunday, leaving one person dead, Turkey's interior minister said.
The attack occurred at around 11:40 (0840 GMT) at the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul and was carried out by two masked men, Ali Yerlikaya said on social media.
An investigation had been launched to find the attackers, he added, who fled the scene after the shooting.
Television images showed police and an ambulance outside the ornate church.
The minister said an individual identified only as C.T. -- who was among those attending Sunday's service -- had died after the armed attack.
"We strongly condemn this vile attack," Yerlikaya said.
Turkey's ruling AKP party spokesman Omer Celik said the attackers took aim at a citizen during the mass.
"Our security forces are conducting a large-scale investigation into the matter," he said.
"Those who threaten the peace and security of our citizens will never achieve their goals."
Local media reported that others were injured in the attack, but this was not immediately confirmed by the authorities.
The motive for the attack was also not immediately clear.
