Daesh claims attack in Istanbul church, two attackers arrested

A man was killed on Sunday in Istanbul during mass in an Italian Catholic church by two masked assailants who opened fire and were eventually arrested by Turkish police.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack via the social network Telegram.

The victim, who attended the celebration, first identified by his initials C.T., was called Tuncer Cihan, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Sunday evening.

The two attackers were arrested as they tried to flee, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced in the evening.

In footage taken by security cameras before the attack, two men can be seen wearing black masks and with their hands in their pockets. One of them has sunglasses. According to local officials, about 40 people attended the mass, including the Polish consul general in Istanbul, Witold Lesniak, and his family.

The attack occurred around 11:40 a.m. local time (08:40 a.m. UT). “ After the second shot, the gun no longer worked, so the attackers fled. At this point, everyone was lying on the ground. There were between 35 and 40 people inside “, the district mayor, Sukru Genc, ​​told the press.

No one was injured in the attack, according to Istanbul Governor Davut Gul.

Source » greekcitytimes.com