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State of emergency in the Gross Brush district of Hamburg. Several shots were fired on Thursday evening. At least seven people are killed and many more injured.
The site of the massacre is a three-story office building where Jehovah’s Witnesses gather. As reported by resident Laura Bauch, Jehovah’s Witnesses gather for a service every Thursday around 7 p.m., according to the report. The audience is very mixed: families, the elderly and the young. But what kind of religious community is it really?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are the largest sect in Switzerland
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian community with its own interpretation of the Bible. The followers believe in Jehovah as “almighty God and Creator” and are expected to follow strict rules.
They are convinced that a new world is coming and that they will be saved as a chosen church. Worldwide, Jehovah’s Witnesses, active in 239 countries, have about eight million members. The “world headquarters” is in New York. With less than 200,000 members, the German community is one of the largest in Europe.
The religious community is also present in Switzerland. According to the “Luzerner Zeitung”, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are even the largest sect in Switzerland – and Lucerne. In Germany, the community has almost 20,000 members.
It is not yet clear whether the crime has anything to do with the religious community. As Hamburg police announced late Thursday evening, the motive for the crime is still unknown. (dzc/SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
