Six shot dead by gunmen at church funeral in Jordan, officials say
Unidentified gunmen opened fire during a church funeral in central Jordan, leaving six people dead and 28 others injured as security forces deployed to the area.
- Headline: Six shot dead by gunmen at church funeral in Jordan, officials say
- Dispatch Summary: Unidentified gunmen opened fire during a church funeral in central Jordan, leaving six people dead and 28 others injured as security forces deployed to the area.
- Verification: Corroborated across independent reporting outlets with primary sources and real-time wire transmissions.
Security forces have been deployed across the Karak governorate in central Jordan after unidentified gunmen opened fire during a church funeral on Friday, leaving six people dead and 28 others injured. The attack took place at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hmoud, located about 180 kilometers (110 miles) south of the capital, Amman. Initial reports from state-owned media had placed the death toll at seven before authorities revised the figure downward. Between 150 and 200 people were in the church at the time of the shooting, one witness told the AFP news agency, creating chaotic scenes that left several dead and wounded bodies on the ground in the aftermath.
Government spokesperson Dr Mohammad al-Momani condemned the incident as a heinous
attack. Government spokesperson Dr Mohammad al-Momani has said the country's prime minister will chair a meeting of the Security Council to be attended by all ministers, while a news briefing by interior ministry officials is expected shortly. The Public Security Directorate stated that an investigation is under way.
Who carried out the attack and how did it unfold?
Mourner Khaled Burqan told Jordan's al-Mamlaka state-run TV that two attackers armed with a rifle and a pistol had been firing at the mourners for several minutes. However, CCTV footage, verified by the BBC, appears to shows three gunmen making their way from a road toward the church. Two of the attackers are seen making their way onto what appears to be a vehicle entrance to the church grounds, before retreating briefly and returning with a third man. All three appear to be armed with handguns. The unidentified gunmen are reported to have arrived in a car and began shooting inside the church before fleeing the scene.
Security forces have been deployed to the area after the "heinous" attack, government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said.
What do we know about the victims and the setting?
Karak has a sizeable Christian community in the majority-Muslim Jordan. The village of Hmoud sits in the Karak governorate. The following table outlines the key geographic and casualty details provided by officials and news organizations reporting on the ground.
| Detail | Reported Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed Dead | 6 | BBC News, The Times of Israel, Associated Press |
| Wounded | 28 | BBC News, The Times of Israel, Associated Press |
| Initial Death Toll Reports | 7 | State-owned media, via The Times of Israel |
| Church Affiliation | Greek Orthodox | Associated Press |
| Distance from Amman | 180 kilometers (110 miles) south | Associated Press |
| Estimated Attendance | 150 to 200 people | Witness via AFP news agency |
Dozens of people had been inside the church for the funeral when the shooting began. Separate footage believed to be from the aftermath of the attack appears to show several dead and wounded bodies on the ground amid some chaotic scenes.
How does this incident fit into Jordan's security history?
Such violence is rare in Jordan, but deadly attacks have been carried out in the country in the past. In 2016, gunmen ambushed police in a series of attacks in Karak, including at a Crusader castle popular with tourists, killing 10 people, including seven officers, and wounding dozens. Jordanian security forces killed the gunmen after a long standoff.
Authorities say an investigation is under way and that they will announce its findings as they became available.
