Casualty counts differ
The death toll from Friday’s shooting at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hmoud remains unsettled. CNN reported at least nine people killed and 40 injured, saying the toll had been revised several times as information emerged. AL.com reported seven deaths and 40 wounded. Jordanian Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour said two injured people were in critical condition, according to CNN.
Jordan News reported that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Maj. Gen. Majdi Mohammad Al-Harasis, acting under royal directives, instructed the Royal Medical Services to evacuate injured people from Karak Governorate to Al-Hussein Medical City.
Assailants remain at large
Jordan’s public security agency said the unidentified gunmen had not been captured and classified the shooting as a terrorist attack targeting Christians attending a funeral, CNN reported. Al Jazeera also said authorities were investigating and that the assailants remained unidentified and at large. The available reports did not establish who was responsible.
King Abdullah said Jordan would respond forcefully against those responsible. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said state agencies were working to bring the perpetrators to justice, according to comments from Petra carried by CNN.