A funeral at a church in southern Jordan was interrupted by gunfire on Friday when two armed men arrived in a vehicle and opened fire on mourners, killing at least seven people and injuring around ten others. The shooting took place at Hammoud Church in Karak governorate, where police were searching for the attackers after they fled.

According to Jordan's state-owned Al-Mamlaka television, the gunmen stepped out of their vehicle and began shooting while mourners were gathered for the funeral. Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.

One attendee told the broadcaster that the shooting continued for approximately five minutes. He described one attacker carrying a rifle and the other a pistol, with dozens of people present when the gunfire began. His account has not yet been corroborated by a detailed police reconstruction.

Jordan's Public Security Directorate confirmed through the official Petra News Agency that unidentified gunmen had opened fire at a church in Karak, causing deaths and injuries. Police said security personnel were pursuing the suspects but did not initially release an official casualty count.

Government spokesman Mohammad Hussein al-Momani said security agencies were investigating the attack and would release further information once the circumstances had been established. Authorities had not publicly identified the suspects, announced arrests or established a motive.

The shooting has struck a community with deep historical roots in Jordan. Karak, approximately 180 kilometres south of Amman, has a longstanding Christian population, with churches and religious institutions forming part of the governorate's social and cultural life.

The attack occurred during a funeral, but investigators have not established whether the gunmen targeted the gathering because it was taking place at a church, sought particular individuals among those attending, or acted for another reason. No organisation had claimed responsibility in the initial hours after the shooting.

Karak has experienced serious armed violence before. In December 2016, militants attacked police and civilians at several locations in the governorate, including the historic Karak Castle. Ten people, among them seven members of the security forces, were killed before Jordanian forces ended the confrontation.

There is no evidence linking Friday's attackers to those responsible for the 2016 assault. Jordanian authorities have also made no public determination that the latest shooting was connected to an extremist organisation.

For families attending the funeral, the attack has left at least seven dead and several others receiving medical treatment. Security forces must now establish how the assailants approached the church, identify those responsible and determine whether the shooting was directed at the religious gathering or particular individuals.

A further official casualty update is awaited as investigators pursue the two gunmen.