Sixteen people were killed on Friday at a nursing home in Aden, Yemen, including four Catholic nuns, four nurses, four guards and cleaning staff. The home was started by Mother Teresa in the 1970s.
Reuters reported that eight elderly residents were killed in the attack carried out by four assailants equipped with rifles. The New York Times separately reported that none of the residents of the home were harmed. Yemeni officials and witnesses reported the gunmen moved from room to room handcuffing victims before shooting them. They reportedly entered the retirement home posting as visitors for one of the residents.
“The Government of the Republic of Yemen is shocked and appalled by the recent terrorist attack in Aden today,” read a statement from the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Yemen to the United Nations. It continued “this cruel and heartless act aimed at the charitable organization ‘Missionaries for Charity’ targeted retired persons, nurses, and staff.”
The Vatican reported on Saturday that Pope Francis was “shocked and profoundly saddened” by the attack, and he “sends the assurance of his prayers for the dead.”
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Statement by the Mission of Yemen 2 the UN on the terrorist act targeted "Missionaries for Charity" today in #Aden. pic.twitter.com/6cbj1aoqiT
— Belal Abdo (@BelalAbdo12) March 4, 2016
Gunmen executed nuns, guards, and a gardener at a nursing home started by Mother Teresa in #Aden, killing 16. #Yemenhttps://t.co/Xarxmy3LBs
— demolinari (@demolinari) March 5, 2016
Pope shocked by murderous attack in Yemen that killed 4 nuns – Washington Post https://t.co/5kLa7xT4ep
— Share World News (@worldnewsshare) March 5, 2016
Pope Francis condemns massacre of nuns & workers at Yemen retirement home https://t.co/4KnltO9QcD pic.twitter.com/78x7XRJpVf
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 5, 2016
(Image: Reuters)