A person has been arrested by the anti-terrorist service of the Turkish police as part of investigations into the armed attack on a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul.

Two gunmen, their faces covered by masks, entered at about 11.40 in the morningduring the Sunday liturgy, at the Catholic church of Santa Maria in Bathyrryaka (Buyukdere) on the European side of the Bosphorus and opened fire.

A man who was among the churchgoers fell dead from the shots with a head wound.

According to information, the 52-year-old victim of the attack had recently been visiting the church with his uncle, but without being a Christian himself.

His relatives spoke to the media, who stated that this man had no differences with anyone, was especially loved among the faithful, was retired and he had a slight mental retardation.

Consul General of Poland Witold Lesniak and his children were also in the church at the time of the attack.

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew contacted by phone the Roman Catholic bishop of Polis, Massimiliano Palinouros, expressing his support and sincere condolences and pointed out that no one should allow fear to prevail at the expense of social peace and the harmonious coexistence of religious communities in the country.

Interior Minister Ali Gerlikaya visited the church and stated that it is our duty to find whoever committed this attack and bring them to justice as soon as possible, and we are determined to do so.