After a man using a knife to attack two churches in southern Spain, a church worker was killed and many others were injured.
According to the interior ministry, a suspect was arrested in connection with the incident that occurred in Cadiz in the south.
Authorities are investigating whether terrorist activity was behind the attack on Algeciras, a port city that has links to Morocco.
Sky News was told by the Spanish National Police that the victim had been working as a sexton, which is responsible for looking after the churchyard or church. A priest is also being treated.
Local media describe the attacker as using either a machete, or a sword from the samurai, and he allegedly attacked people in the San Lorenzo parish.
The Algeciras town hall identified Diego Valencia as the church worker and stated that the injured priest was Antonio Rodriguez. He is currently in stable condition at the hospital.
According to the ministry, the attack started when an armed man entered the San Isidro church and attacked a priest.
Then he went to Nuestra Senora De La Palma, which is about 300m away.
He attacked and killed the sexton just outside the building.
The interior ministry stated in an initial statement that “the facts are being analysed and investigated, but it is still not possible to determine what caused the attack”.
According to a spokesperson for the police, the incident is under investigation.
El Mundo reported that four people were injured in the attack.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted his sorrow over the incident: “I want my deepest condolences for the families of the sacristans who were killed in the horrible attack in Algeciras.”
“I wish the injured a speedy recovery.” We offer our full support to the State Security Forces and Corps in their work.”
Francisco Garcia, secretary general of Spain’s Episcopal Conference, posted the following: “I have been very hurt by the news about the incident in Algeciras.”
“These are difficult moments of suffering. We are united by the pain and for the Diocese in Cadiz.
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