ALBAWABA - Turkey's interior minister revealed that one person was killed an armed attack on an Italian church in Istanbul during a religious ceremony on Sunday, AFP reported.
He added that an investigation by the Turkish government was launched to determine the reasons or the motivation behind the attack. "We strongly condemn this vile attack," he said in a statement.
A call of an emergency was reported by people at the church and the Turkish authorities responded quickly.
In detail, Ali Yerlikaya reported that the attack took place at around 11:40 a.m. (0840 GMT) in the Sariyer district of Istanbul.
According to the minister, two armed men broke into the Italian church and carried out the attack which left one person dead.
The minister added: "Unfortunately, C.T. lost their life. A comprehensive investigation is underway, and efforts to apprehend the attackers have begun. We strongly condemn this heinous attack."
Following the attack, Pope Francis released a statement expressing support for the Catholic church, which was attacked today in Istanbul.
Pope said after prayer in St Peter's Square at the Vatican: "I express my closeness to the community of the Santa Maria Draperis Church in Istanbul."
Furthermore, the Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani "firmly condemns" the attack on the Istanbul church.
