Jordan church funeral shooting kills seven in Karak
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
A deadly shooting struck a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan’s southern Karak province on 23 October, when unidentified gunmen attacked mourners during a funeral service, leaving seven people dead. Reports agree the assault happened in the Christian-majority town or village of Hamoud/Hmoud, south of Amman, though accounts differ on the exact distance and the number of attackers involved. Jordanian officials have called the incident a terrorist attack by extremists, while security forces continue searching for the assailants and no group has claimed responsibility. King Abdullah II condemned the attack, vowed punishment for those responsible, and Jordan declared three days of national mourning.
Key Points
- The attack took place on 23 October at a Greek Orthodox church in Hamoud, in Karak province south of Amman, during a funeral attended by large crowds.
- At least seven people were killed; injury figures varied from 10 initially to at least 34, later rising to 40, with two people reported in critical condition.
- Witnesses said a car arrived, gunmen got out and opened fire on mourners; one attacker was reportedly carrying an AK-47 or rifle.
- Accounts differ on the number of attackers, with witnesses describing two gunmen, while footage cited by reports appeared to show three armed men and possibly four involved
- Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya (法拉亞) said the shooting was a terrorist attack by an extremist group, but authorities had not announced arrests or a confirmed motive.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the attack is a reminder that even countries generally seen as relatively stable in the Middle East can face sudden mass-casualty violence targeting places of worship. It also matters because Jordan is a regional pilgrimage destination with Christian holy sites, and the assault may raise security concerns for travellers and religious visitors from abroad