Poland's Foreign Ministry said the family “suffered during the attack” but did not specify whether any of its members were killed or injured A Polish-Jordanian family was among those “affected” by a shooting at a church in southwestern Jordan that killed seven people and injured 34 others, Poland's Foreign Ministry has said. Gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a church in Jordan's Karak province on Friday, in a rare attack targeting the Christian minority in the Middle Eastern country. "Poland strongly condemns the terrorist attack," the foreign ministry in Warsaw said in a statement, calling for those responsible to be held accountable. "We extend our sympathies to the Polish–Jordanian family which also suffered during the attack," it added. The ministry did not say whether any members of the family were among those killed or injured. Poland mourns 'longtime friend' Among those killed was Professor Asem Emil Hanna al-Burqan, an academic at Jordan's Hashemite University and a longtime collaborator of the Polish Embassy in Amman. The embassy described him as “a longtime friend and collaborator” who was also “an expert on Polish history and culture” and “a promoter of the Polish language.” “This is a sad day for the entire Polish community in Jordan,” the embassy wrote on X, extending its deepest condolences to his family. Hunt for attackers Jordanian authorities said most of those injured remained in hospital as security forces searched for the attackers. The country's interior minister described the gunmen as “extremists” but said it was too early to determine whether they had links to any militant groups. No group immediately claimed responsibility. Security camera footage broadcast by Jordanian state television showed three gunmen firing toward the church before running toward its entrance. Witnesses described scenes of panic as mourners screamed and people collapsed after being shot. King vows ‘harshest retaliation’ Jordan's King Abdullah visited Karak hours after the attack and vowed to punish those responsible. "The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation," he said in a statement. Jordan has remained relatively stable despite regional conflicts, although authorities have reported foiling several plots by Islamist militants in recent years. The country, which borders Israel, also came under Iranian missile and drone attacks during the recent war involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
Gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a church in Jordan's Karak province on Friday. (Salah Malkawi/Anadolu via Getty Images)
