Assailants launched an armed attack on an Italian church in Istanbul during a religious ceremony on Sunday, leaving one person dead, Turkey's interior minister said.

The attack occurred at around 11:40 a.m. (0840) in the Sariyer district of Istanbul and was carried out by two masked men, Ali Yerlikaya said on social media, adding an investigation had been launched.

The minister said an individual identified as C.T. — who was among those attending Sunday's service — had died after the armed attack.

"We strongly condemn this vile attack," Yerlikaya said.