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Vienna terrorist attack: at least two dead after shooting near synagogue in Austria – live updates Vienna terrorist attack: at least two dead after shooting near synagogue in Austria – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Austrian police say one civilian and one suspect are dead after shootings across six locations in the centre of ViennaAustrian police say one civilian and one suspect are dead after shootings across six locations in the centre of Vienna
Here is an update from Reuters, recapping the Interior minister’s comments to ORF:
Several suspected perpetrators of what the Austrian government is calling a terror attack in Vienna are on the loose and a manhunt is underway, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said on Monday, calling the attackers “heavily armed and dangerous.”
“We have brought several special forces units together that are now searching for the presumed terrorists. I am therefore not limiting it to an area of Vienna because these are mobile perpetrators,” Nehammer told broadcaster ORF, urging the public to stay indoors until the all-clear is given
Graphic and unconfirmed, videos are being shared around social media, showing people shot and bleeding near the outside tables of local restaurants.
Vienna police have urgently and repeatedly asked that no video or photographs be shared on social media.
The interior minister suggested some attackers may still be mobile, therefore providing any information on social media about there whereabouts of police locations could be dangerous.
Earlier reports had suggested that the nearby Stadttempel synagogue could have been the target of the attack.But Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community Vienna, said the synagogue on Seitenstettengasse and the office building at the same address were already closed at the time of the attack, and it was “unclear” if it was one of the targets of the attack.Deutsch told the Kurier newspaper that no members of Vienna’s Jewish community were among those injured in the attack.Citing an interview with a rabbi living directly above the Stadttempel synagogue, newspaper Kurier reported an attacker had taken random shots at people sitting outside cafes and bars on Judengasse and Seitenstettengasse in central Vienna. “He did not aim at the Stadttempel [synagogue]”, the witness said.The Stadttempel synagogue was the target of a terror attack almost four decades ago. On 29 August 1981 two members of the Palestinian group Fatah – The Revolutionary Council, also known as ANO, tried to storm the synagogue building but were stoppedat the gatesby security forces. Two people were killed and 21 others injured in the attack.
Austria’s minister for the interior Karl Nehammer spoke on ORF TV a short time ago.
He confirmed that police are still in the process of fighting the presumed terrorists. He said they are still looking for the potential perpetrators and some attackers may still be mobile.
Video and pictures are circulating online of a number of men, shirtless with their arms up in the air, being approached by heavily armed police. It’s unknown if these men are directly involved in the attack. The number of attackers, or how many groups are involved is also unknown.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has labelled the Vienna shooting a “hideous terrorist attack”.
He says that armed forces will be taking over some police operations to allow police to focus on their anti-terror efforts.
Roughly translated he says:
At least one civilian and one attacker have been confirmed dead in Vienna says Harald Soro, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry.At least one civilian and one attacker have been confirmed dead in Vienna says Harald Soro, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry.
A Rabbi has described what he the attack to The Associated Press.A Rabbi has described what he the attack to The Associated Press.
Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister said he saw at least one person fire shots at people sitting outside bars in the street below his window. His account of the shooting remains unconfirmed by Vienna Police.Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister said he saw at least one person fire shots at people sitting outside bars in the street below his window. His account of the shooting remains unconfirmed by Vienna Police.
“They were shooting at least 100 rounds just outside our building,” Hofmeister said.“They were shooting at least 100 rounds just outside our building,” Hofmeister said.
“All these bars have tables outside. This evening is the last evening before the lockdown,” he added.“All these bars have tables outside. This evening is the last evening before the lockdown,” he added.
“As of midnight, all bars and restaurants will be closed in Austria for the next month and a lot of people probably wanted to use that evening to be able to go out.”“As of midnight, all bars and restaurants will be closed in Austria for the next month and a lot of people probably wanted to use that evening to be able to go out.”
Online a large wave of anti-immigrant sentiment has already begun to emerge, in the wake of the attack.Online a large wave of anti-immigrant sentiment has already begun to emerge, in the wake of the attack.
Currently, no information on the identity of any attackers has been released, and their nationality and the motivation for the attack is currently unknown.Currently, no information on the identity of any attackers has been released, and their nationality and the motivation for the attack is currently unknown.
French President Emmanuel Macron has tweeted his solidarity with Austria.French President Emmanuel Macron has tweeted his solidarity with Austria.
France has also been the victim of several attacks in recent weeks, although the Austrian shooters’ motivation is still unknown.France has also been the victim of several attacks in recent weeks, although the Austrian shooters’ motivation is still unknown.
Roughly translated he says: We, the French, share the shock and sadness of the Austrians after an attack in Vienna. It is a friendly country that is under attack. This is our Europe. Our enemies need to know who they are dealing with. We won’t give in to anything.Roughly translated he says: We, the French, share the shock and sadness of the Austrians after an attack in Vienna. It is a friendly country that is under attack. This is our Europe. Our enemies need to know who they are dealing with. We won’t give in to anything.
Here is the Guardian’s report for those who want to catch up on the news from Vienna so far.
It’s understood that the first of six locations of the attack at Seitenstettengasse, a street close the centre of the Vienna CBD.
The prime minister of the Netherlands has tweeted his support to the Austrian government.
An unconfirmed video posted by a member of the public appears to show a number of men, standing shirtless, unarmed with their arms up.
The video was taken through the window of a nearby apartment.
Authorities have not confirmed if all attackers have been arrested or not and police have urged all people not to post photos or videos to social media.
So just unpacking that update from the Vienna police a little bit.
Authorities have confirmed that this was not a single shooting attack but spread across six different locations. It’s unclear if these were the same attackers moving to six different locations or simultaneous attacks.
The Seitenstettengasse square was the first of these locations, and the attacked consisted of multiple people armed with rifles.
One suspect has been shot and killed by police.
Several people have been injured including a police officer.
The national Austrian broadcaster, ORF says emergency services in Vienna are reporting “several dead and injured:”.
The Guardian can not confirm, but local media reports have suggested that between three and eight people have been killed. This has not been verified by authorities at this point.
The APA news agency previously reported an update from Austria’s interior ministry stating one attacker was “dead”.
While many of the initial reports suggested the attack was at the Stadttempel synagogue, the Jewish community of Vienna Oskar Deutsch, confirmed the temple and nearby offices were closed at the time.
Here is his statement on Twitter.
Roughly translated he says: “It cannot be said at the moment whether Stadttempel was one of the targets. What is certain, however, is that both the synagogue in Seitenstettengasse and the office building at the same address were no longer in operation and closed at the time of the first shots.”
In any case, there was shooting in the immediate vicinity of Stadttempel. All parishioners were asked not to enter public streets and to remain in closed rooms until the all-clear from the security authorities.
Here is the initial post from the Vienna police department.
Rough Translation: “There were several exchanges of fire around the inner city. Several people are injured. We are on the scene with all available forces. Please avoid all public places in the city.”
Police have urged people not to share any photos or video on social media, translating the message into several languages.
Hello, and thank you for joining us.
Several people have been wounded in Vienna, after an “apparent terrorist attack” near a synagogue, with one of several attackers arrested.
Multiple gunshots were fired near Schwedenplatz in central Vienna on Monday evening, according to police, near a major synagogue.
Minister of the Interior, Karl Nehammer said several people were injured and some believed to be killed.
“At the moment I can confirm we believe this is an apparent terror attack,” he told Austrian broadcaster ORF.
Police have urged residents to keep away from all public places or public transport.
A short time ago the APA news agency reported an update from Austria’s interior ministry, stating one attacker was “dead” and another “on the run”, while one police officer was seriously injured. A second attacker has been arrested.
The president of Vienna’s Jewish community, Oskar Deutsch, said that shots had been fired “in the immediate vicinity” of the Stadttempel synagogue but added that it was currently unknown whether the synagogue itself had been the target of an attack.
He said that the synagogue and office buildings at the same address had been closed at the time of the attack.
“It sounded like firecrackers, then we realised it was shots,” said one eyewitness quoted by ORF.
Vienna police have urged people not to share video and photos via social media. “This jeopardises police forces as well as the civilian population,” they said on Twitter.