Authorities are investigating a possible act of terrorism
A machete-wielding man killed a nun and wounded a priest in Wednesday’s attacks on two churches in the southern Spanish city of Algeciras. The attacker has been detained, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior said, specifying that a possible act of terrorism is being investigated, the Associated Press reported.
The ministry did not reveal the identity of the arrested person. Around 19:00 on Wednesday, the armed man entered the “San Isidro” church and attacked a priest, whom he seriously injured. He then went to a second church – “Nuestra Señora de La Palma”, five minutes’ walk from the first, where he continued to go on a rampage, attacking the cloister. The priest ran outside, but the assailant caught up with him in the square and fatally wounded him. As for the wounded priest, he is in hospital and his condition is stable.
According to local media, at least three people were injured in the attacks. Spain’s National Court announced that it has opened an investigation into a possible act of terrorism.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences to the relatives of the deceased. Representatives of the clergy also expressed sympathy. Algeciras is located in the southern tip of Spain. It has an important port with ferry connections to North Africa. The city hall has declared a day of mourning during which flags will be flown at half-mast.
We are all shocked by these acts, which fill us with sorrow, said Mayor Jose Landaluse. “Algeciras has always been a city of understanding and tolerance despite cases like this giving it an image that does not correspond to reality,” he said.
Source: DESISLAVA IVANOVA, BTA
