Six killed in shooting at church in Jordan

At least six people were killed and 28 others injured when gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in southern Jordan on Friday, authorities said.

The shooting took place near Hamoud Church in the Karak governorate, about 180 kilometres south of the capital, Amman.

According to Jordan’s Public Security Directorate, unidentified gunmen opened fire during the funeral before fleeing the scene.

Security forces launched a manhunt to track down those responsible.

Witnesses told local media that the attackers arrived in a vehicle and fired continuously for around five minutes.

Between 150 and 200 people were reportedly inside and around the church at the time of the attack.

Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. Authorities said an investigation was underway, but the motive for the shooting remained unclear.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II condemned the attack and vowed severe punishment for those responsible, stressing that the incident would not undermine national unity.

The shooting occurred in Karak, which has a significant Christian community. Attacks on places of worship are rare in the Muslim-majority kingdom.