Karak. Seven people have died and 40 have been injured in a shooting at a church in Jordan's Karak city while a funeral was underway. According to officials, two of the injured are in critical condition. The incident occurred on Friday. The incident took place at the Greek Orthodox Church, about 180 kilometers south of the capital Amman. Footage broadcast on state television shows two gunmen, appearing to be carrying pistols, advancing towards the church and opening fire. Another person, appearing to be carrying a semi-automatic rifle, is also seen arriving there and opening fire in the footage. Shattered glass and blood are visible on the church floor in a video shot by eyewitnesses. According to Dorgham Halasa, who was attending the funeral, the shooting occurred about 15 minutes after the program began. He described the incident as horrific and said that people fled in panic when the shooting started. A government statement mentioned that the attack was carried out by unknown individuals. However, officials have not provided detailed information about the number of attackers, their condition, or their arrest. It has been stated that the investigation into the incident is being intensified. According to Jordan's Petra news agency, the government has declared a three-day national mourning following the incident. The Karak region is inhabited by a minority Christian community. Jordan's King Abdullah II condemned the incident and said that the perpetrators would be severely punished. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan also called the attack a result of terrorist ideology and extremism and pledged to take legal action against the culprits. Countries including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Oman have condemned the incident. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the attack a heinous act and called for the identification and accountability of those responsible. Earlier in 2016, gunmen had also attacked police and tourists in Karak. In that incident, 10 people, including seven police officers, were killed and dozens were injured.
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