At least seven people have been killed and 10 others wounded after two gunmen opened fire during a funeral at Hammoud Church in Jordan’s Karak governorate, according to Jordanian state media and security officials.
The attack occurred on Friday in Hmood, a town in northern Karak, about 90 miles south of the capital, Amman. Witnesses said the gunmen arrived in a vehicle, left it and began shooting at mourners gathered inside and around the church before fleeing the scene.
Jordan’s state broadcaster, Al-Mamlaka, reported that the assailants fired continuously for about five minutes. One witness told the station that one attacker carried a rifle, while another was armed with a pistol. The shooting reportedly lasted several minutes, creating panic among mourners who had gathered for the funeral.
A witness, Tamer Halsa, said between 150 and 200 people were present inside and outside the church when the gunmen struck. He added that most of the victims were believed to be between 50 and 70 years old.
“At least seven people died in the shooting at Hammoud Church in Karak, while about 10 others were wounded, some of them critically,” a security source told Al-Mamlaka.
Jordan’s Public Security Directorate confirmed that security forces were investigating the incident and pursuing the unidentified suspects. The government spokesperson, Mohammad al-Momani, described the attack as “heinous” and said security personnel had been deployed to the area.
Authorities have not released the identities of the attackers or the victims. They have also not established a motive for the shooting, and it remains unclear whether the gunmen targeted a specific individual at the funeral or deliberately attacked the religious gathering.
No individual or group had claimed responsibility for the attack as of the latest reports. Officials said verified details would be released as the investigation progresses, urging the public to avoid spreading unconfirmed information on social media.
The shooting has shocked Jordan, a Muslim-majority kingdom where Karak is home to a significant Christian community. The region is known for its historic churches, castles and religious diversity, and attacks on places of worship are rare in the country.
The assault occurred during a funeral, turning what witnesses described as a solemn gathering into a scene of bloodshed. Emergency responders evacuated the wounded from the church, while security forces cordoned off the area and began searching for the fleeing attackers.
Jordanian authorities are expected to examine whether the attack was connected to a personal dispute, a targeted killing or a broader security threat. Investigators are also likely to review surveillance footage, speak with witnesses and trace the vehicle reportedly used by the gunmen.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns across the Middle East, where attacks on religious sites have repeatedly raised fears of sectarian violence. Jordan, a key Western ally and one of the region’s more stable countries, has previously carried out operations against suspected militant networks.
Government officials have promised further updates once the casualty figures, identities of the victims and circumstances of the attack are confirmed. The death toll and number of injured could change as hospitals and investigators provide additional information.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation, with calls for authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and strengthen protection for religious gatherings. As the investigation continues, attention will focus on whether the gunmen are apprehended and whether the shooting was an isolated act or part of a wider security threat.bbc+3