Six people, including at least two Pakistani citizens, have been killed and around 30 Pakistani citizens have been injured after a shooting at a Shia mosque in Muscat, Oman, on the night of Tuesday, several media outlets write.
The shooting occurred as Shia Muslims gathered to celebrate the religious holiday of Ashura.
In a short statement, the Omani police write that the investigation is ongoing and that evidence is being collected. There is currently no information on motives, but the three perpetrators are said to have been "neutralized" by Omani police, according to a statement from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Violent crime is very rare in Oman, which is one of the safest countries in the Middle East.
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Living in shock: Never heard of anything like this
Acts of violence are very rare in Oman. Residents are shocked after the act in which four Pakistani citizens were shot dead and over 30 were injured.
- I have never heard of anything like this here, not in the 40 years I have lived in Muscat, says 42-year-old teacher Salma Ahmad to The National newspaper.
Of the four million inhabitants of Oman, approximately 40 percent are foreign nationals working in the country. The Pakistani victims were Shia Muslims, who make up a five percent minority in Oman.
Basil Al Lawati, 20, lives near the Imam Alki Mosque in Muscat and heard the shots.
- Whoever did this is only trying to create hatred, but we will be united and become, even stronger. We have different faiths and ethnicities, but we live here in harmony, he says.
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