At least seven people were killed in a shooting inside a church in Karak governorate in southern Jordan, a security source told state TV on Friday.

The source told the official Al-Mamlaka broadcaster that “at least seven people died in the shooting at Hammoud Church in Karak, while about 10 others were wounded, some of them critically” when two unidentified gunmen opened fire inside the church, according to authorities.

An eyewitness told Al-Mamlaka that a vehicle arrived carrying the gunmen, who fired continuously for five minutes before fleeing the scene.

Between 150 and 200 people were inside and around the church at the time, the witness said, adding that most of the victims were aged between 50 and 70.

Security forces are investigating, Minister of Government Communications Mohammed Al-Momani said.

Karak is home to a significant Christian community in the Muslim-majority kingdom.

AFP