Two masked assailants launched Sunday an armed attack on the Santa Maria church in Istanbul's Sariyer district during a religious ceremony, resulting in the death of one individual, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

The attack took place at approximately 11:40 local time as worshippers gathered for a Sunday service. The perpetrators, armed and wearing masks, quickly fled the scene after the assault.

The police have opened an investigation into the incident.

The victim, identified only as C.T., succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack. The interior minister condemned the terror attack, stating, "We strongly condemn this vile attack," on social media.

Television footage depicted a heavy police presence and an ambulance stationed outside the Santa Maria church, an ornate religious institution at the heart of the Sariyer district.

Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkey's ruling AKP party, emphasized the gravity of the situation, confirming that the assailants targeted a citizen during the religious mass. He stated, "Our security forces are conducting a large-scale investigation into the matter. Those who threaten the peace and security of our citizens will never achieve their goals."

While local media reports indicated additional injuries resulting from the attack, authorities have not officially confirmed these details. The motive behind the assault remains unclear.

Heightened regional security

This incident comes on the heels of heightened security concerns in the region. The Turkish security forces detained in December 32 individuals with alleged links to ISIS. The detained suspects were reportedly planning attacks on churches, synagogues, and the Iraqi embassy.

Months earlier, in October, there was a botched terror attack in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

Ankara was rocked by a suicide bomb attack on October 1, just hours before parliament was scheduled to reopen after a summer recess. 

The assault took place near the country's Parliament and General Directorate of Security, which are under the jurisdiction of the Turkish Interior Ministry, located in the capital's downtown.

"Two terrorists in a car in front of the entrance gate of the Interior Ministry's General Directorate of Security carried out an explosion. One of the terrorists detonated himself, and the second was neutralized," Yerlikaya said on X.

"Our struggle will continue until the last terrorist is neutralized," Yerlikaya added without providing details without specifying which group is accused by the government of carrying out the attack.