A person was shot dead in a Catholic church in Istanbul. Two masked attackers forced their way into the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district during mass on Sunday morning and opened fire. Those present sought shelter under the pews. One person was shot in the head and killed. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the attack on X and announced that one person with the initials C.T. had been killed. The perpetrators are being searched for, he added.

No further information is currently available about the details and background of the attack. The church belongs to the apostolic community in Istanbul and the attack occurred during the service of the Italian Bishop Massimiliano Palinuro.