This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/melbourne-car-crash-live-updates-latest-news-injured-victims-attack-pedestrians-deaths-australia-a8121766.html
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Melbourne car crash - live updates: Car ploughs in to crowd of pedestrians in 'deliberate act', leaving many injured | Melbourne car crash - live updates: Car ploughs in to crowd of pedestrians in 'deliberate act', leaving many injured |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A car has been driven into pedestrians outside a major train station in Australia in what police have called "a deliberate act". | A car has been driven into pedestrians outside a major train station in Australia in what police have called "a deliberate act". |
Up to 19 people have been injured, four critically, outside Flinders Street station in Melbourne. | |
Police have arrested the driver of the white Suzuki SUV and another man. | |
"We believe based on what we have seen that it is a deliberate act," Victorian Police commander Russell Barrett said. "The motivations are unknown." | "We believe based on what we have seen that it is a deliberate act," Victorian Police commander Russell Barrett said. "The motivations are unknown." |
Victoria Police chief Shane Patton said investigators have found no evidence to suggest a link with terrorism and they had not established any relationship between the two men. | |
The incident had chilling echoes of several attacks by Islamist militants in various parts of the world over the past few years. | |
In January, four people were killed and more than 20 injured when a man deliberately drove into pedestrians at a spot just a few hundred metres away from Thursday's incident, though that was not terrorism-related. | In January, four people were killed and more than 20 injured when a man deliberately drove into pedestrians at a spot just a few hundred metres away from Thursday's incident, though that was not terrorism-related. |
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said federal and state police as well as security agencies were working together to secure the scene and investigate the "shocking incident". | Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said federal and state police as well as security agencies were working together to secure the scene and investigate the "shocking incident". |
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the emergency and health workers who are treating them," Mr Turnbull said in a post on his official Twitter account. | "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the emergency and health workers who are treating them," Mr Turnbull said in a post on his official Twitter account. |
Daniel Andrews, premier of the state of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, described it as a "horrible incident." | Daniel Andrews, premier of the state of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, described it as a "horrible incident." |
He added: "Stay safe. Check on your loved ones. And thank you to our brave emergency services." | He added: "Stay safe. Check on your loved ones. And thank you to our brave emergency services." |
A statement issued by the City of Melbourne local authority said: "At this stage, the details of this incident are not fully known. | A statement issued by the City of Melbourne local authority said: "At this stage, the details of this incident are not fully known. |
"What is known is this: a vehicle has struck and injured pedestrians at the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders streets. Victoria Police have two people in custody. | "What is known is this: a vehicle has struck and injured pedestrians at the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders streets. Victoria Police have two people in custody. |
"Our emergency services, including Victoria Police, have control of this situation. We have every confidence in them to protect Melbourne in such horrific circumstances. | "Our emergency services, including Victoria Police, have control of this situation. We have every confidence in them to protect Melbourne in such horrific circumstances. |
"We have the best advice available to us and we will continue to work with the State Government and Victoria Police to keep people safe. | "We have the best advice available to us and we will continue to work with the State Government and Victoria Police to keep people safe. |
"At this time our thoughts are with those most affected and of course we will work with agencies to provide immediate and long-term support to them." | "At this time our thoughts are with those most affected and of course we will work with agencies to provide immediate and long-term support to them." |
Australia has been on a "high" national threat level since 2015, citing the likelihood of attacks by Australians radicalised in Iraq and Syria. | Australia has been on a "high" national threat level since 2015, citing the likelihood of attacks by Australians radicalised in Iraq and Syria. |
A staunch ally of the United States and its campaign against Isis in Syria and Iraq, Australia believes more than 100 of its citizens are fighting there. | A staunch ally of the United States and its campaign against Isis in Syria and Iraq, Australia believes more than 100 of its citizens are fighting there. |
Additional reporting by agencies | Additional reporting by agencies |