Another victim dies after Jordan church shooting, 26 still in hospital

Amman, Oct 24 — The death toll has risen to eight following Friday's church shooting in southern Jordan, Health Minister Ibrahim al-Bdour reported to AFP on Saturday. One additional victim, who was previously in critical condition, has now succumbed to their injuries. The attack occurred at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hammoud, Karak governorate, during a funeral procession.

Jordanian authorities confirmed that gunmen stormed the compound and opened fire. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya condemned the act as a terrorist attack, vowing that security forces are tirelessly searching for the perpetrators. King Abdullah II, who visited wounded victims in Karak, expressed his condemnation of the shooting and promised harsh retaliation.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared a three-day period of national mourning, with government and public institutions to fly flags at half-mast. Karak is known for its significant Christian community, comprising between two and three percent of the predominantly Muslim nation.