Citizens of Russia and Tajikistan have been arrested following an attack on a Catholic church in Istanbul

One person was killed when two masked gunmen attacked the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul's Sarier district . After the attack , 47 people were arrested, including two foreigners - citizens of Russia and Tajikistan .

On the afternoon of January 28, two masked gunmen attacked the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul's Sarier district during Sunday prayers . They fired at the worshipers and then fled the scene. One person died .

"A large-scale investigation has been launched into the case and efforts are underway to arrest the attackers. We strongly condemn this heinous attack, " said Ali Erlikaya, Minister of Internal Affairs of the country . He added that an investigation has been launched into the attack.

After the attack on the Catholic church in Istanbul, 47 people were arrested, including two foreigners - citizens of Russia and Tajikistan.

According to the head of I IV , citizens of Tajikistan and Russia are connected to the Islamic State organization (recognized as a terrorist by a number of countries). The group had earlier claimed responsibility for the attack.

"Immediately after the attack on the church, the police launched a large-scale operation. On Sunday, 47 people were arrested at 30 locations ," Erlikaya said at a briefing.

The Turkish government condemned the armed attack. Governor of Istanbul Davut Gul and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed their condolences on the incident. Erdogan said that he hopes that the suspects will be caught soon.