At least six people were initially reported killed and 28 injured after gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in southern Jordan, triggering a security operation to track down those responsible.
The shooting occurred on Friday, October 23, 2026, near Hamoud Church in the Karak Governorate, according to reports from Jordanian authorities and international media.
The incident shocked the local community, with witnesses describing several minutes of gunfire as mourners gathered to pay their last respects to a deceased person.
The casualty figures subsequently changed as authorities and news organisations issued updates. Later reports put the death toll at seven, while the number of injured varied across reports, ranging from 27 to 40. The final toll should therefore be treated cautiously until authorities provide a definitive update. Reuters reporting and The Associated Press reported updated figures.
Here are seven important facts about the attack and the ongoing investigation.
1. Gunmen Opened Fire During a Funeral
The shooting took place during a funeral gathering near Hamoud Church in Karak, a region in southern Jordan with an established Christian community.
According to Arab News, the country’s Public Security Directorate confirmed the initial casualties and described those responsible as unknown assailants.
The attack struck a gathering of mourners who had come together for a funeral, turning a solemn occasion into a scene of panic and confusion.
Authorities began investigating the incident as security personnel responded to the scene.
2. Casualty Figures Increased in Later Reports
Initial reports from Jordan’s Public Security Directorate put the death toll at six, with 28 people injured.
However, subsequent announcements and media updates reported seven deaths, with varying figures for those wounded. Reuters later reported seven fatalities and 34 injuries, while other reports gave different injury totals.
Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
The changing figures highlight why casualty information from developing incidents must be checked against the latest official statements rather than relying solely on early headlines.
The final number of victims may only become clear once authorities reconcile the reports and provide a definitive update.
3. Witnesses Said the Attack Lasted Several Minutes
A witness quoted by Jordanian broadcaster Al-Mamlaka said a vehicle arrived carrying the gunmen, who opened fire before fleeing.
The witness estimated that the shooting continued for approximately five minutes.
Reports also indicated that between 150 and 200 people were inside or around the church during the gathering. Many of those affected were reportedly older adults, although the precise ages of all victims have not been independently confirmed.
The accounts have helped investigators reconstruct the sequence of events, but details about the attackers and their movements remain subject to the ongoing investigation.
4. Security Forces Began Searching for the Suspects
Following the shooting, security forces deployed to the church area and began pursuing the suspects.
The Public Security Directorate confirmed that an investigation was underway. Authorities had not publicly established the identities of those responsible in the initial reports.
There were also differences between witness accounts and descriptions of surveillance footage concerning the number of attackers. Some reports referred to two gunmen, while footage described by news organisations appeared to show three individuals.
The number of suspects and their possible roles will need to be confirmed through the investigation.
5. The Motive Remains Unconfirmed
At the time of the initial reports, no group had publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, and investigators had not established a definitive motive.
Jordanian officials condemned the shooting, and senior government figures described it as a serious security incident. However, the identities, affiliations and reasons behind the attack remained under investigation.
It is important not to attribute the shooting to a particular organisation or religious group without evidence from authorities.
The investigation is expected to focus on identifying the suspects, establishing how the attack was organised and determining whether anyone else was involved.
6. The Attack Has Raised Concerns About Security at Religious Gatherings
The shooting has renewed concerns about the safety of people attending religious services and family gatherings.
Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country with a Christian minority, and Karak is home to historic Christian communities. Attacks of this kind are rare in the kingdom, making the incident particularly alarming for residents.
Religious gatherings, including funerals, often bring together large numbers of people, making security and rapid emergency response important when violence occurs.
The priority for authorities remains identifying those responsible, supporting the injured and providing reliable information to affected families.
7. Authorities Have Called for the Investigation to Continue
Jordanian officials have said investigations are proceeding and that information will be provided through official channels.
King Abdullah II condemned the attack and vowed that those responsible would face severe consequences. Authorities have also stressed the importance of national unity in the face of violence.
Media organisations should take care to follow applicable reporting restrictions and avoid circulating unverified claims or footage that could compromise the investigation or cause additional distress to victims’ families.
For now, the central questions remain who carried out the shooting, why the mourners were targeted and whether further arrests will follow.
What We Know So Far
The shooting happened during a funeral near Hamoud Church in Karak on October 23, 2026. Initial reports recorded six deaths and 28 injuries, but later reports gave a higher death toll and differing injury figures.
Security forces launched an investigation, while the identities of the attackers and their motive remained unconfirmed in the initial reporting.
As the investigation continues, further official updates will be important to establish the definitive casualty figures and explain what led to the attack.
Six dead, 28 injured as gunmen open fire at Greek Orthodox church in Jordan https://t.co/trGjBDZojc
— The Naija Media (TNM) (@thenaijamedia) October 23, 2026
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