Jordan: gunmen attack church funeral in Karak governorate, seven killed

On Friday 23 October 2026, mourners at a funeral service in a church in the village of Hammoud, in Jordan's southern Karak governorate, came under attack. Jordan's Public Security Directorate said 34 people were taken to hospital in total, and seven of them died.

What happened

According to Jordanian media reports cited by Polish outlets, two attackers entered the church, one armed with a rifle and the other with a pistol. They opened fire on those gathered. Police are searching for the perpetrators.

Number of victims

Reports of the toll changed during the day. BBC News initially described six people killed and 28 injured. Later, the AFP agency and Polish media, citing a statement from the Jordanian authorities, reported seven dead and 27 people receiving medical care. The toll may still change.

Reactions

King Abdullah II of Jordan said the country would respond to an "act of terror" in Karak with "the harshest vengeance". Most people in Jordan are Muslim, but Karak governorate is also home to a community belonging to the Melkite Church, one of the Eastern Catholic Churches.

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly condemned the attack, calling it a terrorist attack. In its statement it offered condolences to the victims' families and expressed solidarity with the Jordanian authorities and the Christian community in the governorate. The ministry also said a Polish-Jordanian family was among those affected. No further details about their condition were given.

What this means for you

The news matters mainly to people planning to travel to Jordan or who have family there. Before travelling, it is worth checking the current travel advice on the websites of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Polish foreign ministry. The sources we used do not mention any change to such advice.