Thousands mourn nine killed in Jordan church attack as gunmen remain at large

Thousands of people gathered on Sunday for the funerals of eight victims of a shooting at St George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hamoud, in Jordan’s southern Karak governorate. The ninth victim was due to be buried on Monday.

Gunmen opened fire at the church compound during a funeral on Friday, initially killing seven people and wounding dozens. Health Minister Ibrahim Al-Bdour said on Saturday that two critically wounded victims had died, raising the death toll to nine.

Security-camera footage broadcast by state-owned Al-Mamlaka television appeared to show three armed men firing toward the church before running to its entrance. Reuters verified the location shown in the video, but officials have not confirmed whether others participated. Authorities said the attackers remained at large, and no organization had claimed responsibility.

Jordanian officials described the shooting as an extremist terrorist attack but said it was too early to determine whether the assailants were linked to a known group. King Abdullah II visited Karak and some of the wounded on Friday and promised that those responsible would be punished. Jordan declared three days of national mourning, while security was increased at churches across the country for Sunday services.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, government ministers and senior officials attended Sunday’s service, where coffins wrapped in Jordanian flags were carried through crowds under security guard. Authorities continued their investigation and search for the attackers.