- Talha Saeed
- October 24, 2026
Jordan church attack death toll rises to eight as security tightened
AMMAN: The death toll from Friday’s attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan’s Karak governorate has risen to eight, Jordanian state broadcaster Al Mamlaka TV reported on Saturday, as authorities stepped up security across the country.
Seven people had initially been reported killed and 40 injured after gunmen opened fire for several minutes during a funeral at the church in Hamoud, southwest of Amman.
The US embassy in Amman said security had been increased at shopping malls, foreign embassies and other locations across Jordan following the attack, which authorities have described as an act of terrorism.
Reuters footage showed police patrolling outside the church on Saturday.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, and Jordanian authorities said they were still searching for the attackers. Officials said it was too early to determine whether those involved had links to known militant groups inside or outside the country.
“This is a result of a terrorist ideology and blind extremism and we will not allow society to go down this path,” Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said in a post on X.
King Abdullah II, who visited Karak hours after the attack, said those responsible would be punished “with an iron fist”.
Pakistan condemns attack
Pakistan strongly condemned the shooting, describing it as a “heinous terrorist attack” and expressing solidarity with the Jordanian government and people.
In a statement, the Foreign Office extended condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
“Pakistan stands in firm solidarity with the brotherly people of Jordan in their fight against terrorism, and reiterates its strongest condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the Foreign Office said.
The attack took place during a funeral at the Greek Orthodox church in Karak, around 180 kilometres south of Amman.
Footage broadcast on Jordanian state television showed gunmen approaching the church and opening fire before running towards the building. Witness footage from inside showed broken glass and blood on the floor.
Dorgham Halasa, who was attending the funeral, said heavy gunfire began around 15 minutes after the service started, forcing mourners to flee.
Jordan subsequently declared three days of national mourning.
Rare militant violence in Jordan
Such attacks are rare in Jordan, although authorities say they have foiled several attempted attacks by Islamist militants in recent years.
Christians make up a minority of Jordan’s population, and the country is home to several biblical sites visited by pilgrims from around the world.
Karak has previously witnessed militant violence. In 2016, gunmen carried out a series of attacks in the area, including near a Crusader castle popular with tourists, killing 10 people, including seven security personnel.
The attack has also drawn condemnation from governments and religious leaders across the region, as well as UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who described an assault carried out during a funeral as “especially heinous”.
