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Vienna terrorist attack: three dead, including one suspect, in Austria shootings – live updates Vienna terrorist attack: three dead, including one suspect, in Austria shootings – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Authorities say at least two civilians died and at least one gunman is on the run after shootings across six locationsAuthorities say at least two civilians died and at least one gunman is on the run after shootings across six locations
Joe Biden has tweeted his condolences: White House National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien has commented on the attacks, saying in a statement posted to the National Security Council’s Twitter account, “There is no justification for hatred and violence like this.”
Gruber said that when they emerged from the cafe, they saw police on the street corners pointing their weapons. Once the crowd had arrived at Schwedenplatz, the police asked them to raise their hands and to show they were not carrying weapons.
“That is the first time police ever aimed at me with their guns,” he said. They were told to take the subway, and Gruber and his friends travelled to another friend’s house where they stayed for a few hours before travelling home by cab. When we spoke, it was 4.30 in the morning an he was at home in the 16th district of Vienna. He had locked a gate that was almost never closed, he said.
“I think that this is an experience that almost nobody who lives here has ever had before,” he said. “I’ve been to several countries and have heard and watched about these attacks [in those countries],” he said.
“But I’ve never been close to one. It was really frightening.”
I have just spoken on the phone to Gernot Gruber, a 24-year-old business student in Vienna. When the attacks began, Gruber was walking to the Hard Rock cafe in Vienna’s city centre, 100m from one of the attacks.
He had his headphones in, he said and when he took them out to greet the friend he was meeting for dinner, he heard several loud bangs.
“If you hear these noises in Austria you don’t think they’re gunshots, you really don’t,” he said. He thought they might be fireworks set off by people celebrating before the lockdown began. But when he and his friend entered the Hard Rock cafe, they heard an American saying he thought the sound was gunshots.
He and his friend followed the man downstairs as upstairs the restaurant staff locked the doors and told people to get away from the windows. A few minutes later, special forces police entered the building and told everyone to leave and run towards Schwedenplatz, away from the attack which was happening 100m away.
The exclamation mark on the map below shows where the attack occurred.
Joe Biden has tweeted his condolences saying that he and his wife Jill “are keeping the victims and their families in our prayers. We must all stand united against hate and violence.”
Here is our video report about the attack tonight in Vienna:Here is our video report about the attack tonight in Vienna:
At 3.30am in Vienna, there are still helicopters circling overhead, readers have told me. Because it was the last night before Vienna’s lockdown came into effect, many people were taking the opportunity to go out for one last time.At 3.30am in Vienna, there are still helicopters circling overhead, readers have told me. Because it was the last night before Vienna’s lockdown came into effect, many people were taking the opportunity to go out for one last time.
While some who were in the city have finally made it home, others are spending the night in the places they were at when the attacks began. I have heard from the friends of lawyers sleeping at their offices, from attendees at a barre class that ended shortly after 8pm who are sleeping in the studio and from Markus Husa, who was at a restaurant nearby.While some who were in the city have finally made it home, others are spending the night in the places they were at when the attacks began. I have heard from the friends of lawyers sleeping at their offices, from attendees at a barre class that ended shortly after 8pm who are sleeping in the studio and from Markus Husa, who was at a restaurant nearby.
He says that he started to receive text messages at 9pm and that “at that time the first people were leaving the restaurant we were at, unaware of the situation.” His group informed the restaurant staff, who locked the doors and told people to stay inside.He says that he started to receive text messages at 9pm and that “at that time the first people were leaving the restaurant we were at, unaware of the situation.” His group informed the restaurant staff, who locked the doors and told people to stay inside.
“As I understand now, one site of shootings was a mere 100 meters from our location. It was difficult to get home as public transport didn’t stop anywhere near the first district, it was impossible to get a taxi and the city was to be avoided. Fortunately, a friend picked us up by car,” he says.“As I understand now, one site of shootings was a mere 100 meters from our location. It was difficult to get home as public transport didn’t stop anywhere near the first district, it was impossible to get a taxi and the city was to be avoided. Fortunately, a friend picked us up by car,” he says.
He says that friends of his were held in cinemas and theatres and have just arrived home.He says that friends of his were held in cinemas and theatres and have just arrived home.
We didn’t experience any first hand threat nor police in particular. Friends of mine were held for considerable stretches of time at theatres and cinemas, venues were evacuated by police, many of us just got home in past hour or so.We didn’t experience any first hand threat nor police in particular. Friends of mine were held for considerable stretches of time at theatres and cinemas, venues were evacuated by police, many of us just got home in past hour or so.
The Vienna Police have announced that its “investigations regarding the assault will go on highest level” and that all available resources will be used to maintain public security in the city.The Vienna Police have announced that its “investigations regarding the assault will go on highest level” and that all available resources will be used to maintain public security in the city.
Here is the message in German for our Austrian readers:Here is the message in German for our Austrian readers:
Here is more from Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister, who told London’s LBC radio he was living in the compound of the central Vienna synagogue.Here is more from Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister, who told London’s LBC radio he was living in the compound of the central Vienna synagogue.
“Upon hearing shots, we looked down (from) the windows and saw the gunmen shooting at the guests of the various bars and pubs,” he said.“Upon hearing shots, we looked down (from) the windows and saw the gunmen shooting at the guests of the various bars and pubs,” he said.
“The gunmen were running around and shooting at least 100 rounds or even more in front of our building,” he said.“The gunmen were running around and shooting at least 100 rounds or even more in front of our building,” he said.
A reminder that you can get in touch with me directly via email on helen.sullivan@theguardian.com or Twitter @helenrsullivan.A reminder that you can get in touch with me directly via email on helen.sullivan@theguardian.com or Twitter @helenrsullivan.
A sincere thank you to those who have written to us already. We hope to have more updates from people who are currently in Vienna throughout the night.A sincere thank you to those who have written to us already. We hope to have more updates from people who are currently in Vienna throughout the night.
Vienna Mayor Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig says that 15 people have been hospitalised, seven with serious injuries. As far as we understand, two civilians have died in the attacks.Vienna Mayor Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig says that 15 people have been hospitalised, seven with serious injuries. As far as we understand, two civilians have died in the attacks.
In case you are just joining us: Police said that several shots were fired shortly after 8pm on Monday. (1900 GMT) on a lively street in the city centre in Vienna, and that there were six shooting locations. Unverified footage posted on social media showed gunmen walking through the streets, apparently shooting at people at random, wounding several people.In case you are just joining us: Police said that several shots were fired shortly after 8pm on Monday. (1900 GMT) on a lively street in the city centre in Vienna, and that there were six shooting locations. Unverified footage posted on social media showed gunmen walking through the streets, apparently shooting at people at random, wounding several people.
The attack occurred on the last night before a new coronavirus lockdown was due to come into force in the city.The attack occurred on the last night before a new coronavirus lockdown was due to come into force in the city.
Interior Minister Karl Nehammer told public broadcaster ORF that the army had been asked to guard key locations in the city to allow police to pursue the gunmen.Kurz praised police for killing one of the attackers and vowed: “We will not never allow ourselves to be intimidated by terrorism and will fight these attacks with all means.”Interior Minister Karl Nehammer told public broadcaster ORF that the army had been asked to guard key locations in the city to allow police to pursue the gunmen.Kurz praised police for killing one of the attackers and vowed: “We will not never allow ourselves to be intimidated by terrorism and will fight these attacks with all means.”
The terror attacks in Vienna have been widely condemned by international leaders. Here is what some of them have had to say:The terror attacks in Vienna have been widely condemned by international leaders. Here is what some of them have had to say:
In recent years, Austria has been spared the sort of large-scale attacks seen in Paris, Berlin and London.In recent years, Austria has been spared the sort of large-scale attacks seen in Paris, Berlin and London.
In August, authorities arrested a 31-year-old Syrian refugee suspected of trying to attack a Jewish community leader in the country’s second city Graz, Reuters reports. The leader was unhurt.In August, authorities arrested a 31-year-old Syrian refugee suspected of trying to attack a Jewish community leader in the country’s second city Graz, Reuters reports. The leader was unhurt.
We have some more information from Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig about the second victim.We have some more information from Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig about the second victim.
Ludwig told the broadcaster ORF that a woman wounded in an attack in central Vienna on Monday night has died of her injuries.Ludwig told the broadcaster ORF that a woman wounded in an attack in central Vienna on Monday night has died of her injuries.
Her death brings the civilian toll to two. It is understood that at least one attacker has also died.Her death brings the civilian toll to two. It is understood that at least one attacker has also died.
A reader named Lea R has written to us from Vienna’s second district, Leopoldstadt.A reader named Lea R has written to us from Vienna’s second district, Leopoldstadt.
“I’m living in Karmeliterviertel, one of the largest Jewish communities (I myself am not Jewish). I am 22 and normally I’m every evening at Schwedenplatz/ Bermudadreieck and Donaukanal, being in one of the many Bars there ,” she writes.“I’m living in Karmeliterviertel, one of the largest Jewish communities (I myself am not Jewish). I am 22 and normally I’m every evening at Schwedenplatz/ Bermudadreieck and Donaukanal, being in one of the many Bars there ,” she writes.
“The Situation right now is really scary, my phone is ringing all the time because everyone is so worried. It’s heartbreaking to see my beloved hometown [like this].”She says that the law firm where she works has told employees to work from home tomorrow. Her ex-boyfriend works for WEGA, the police special forces (Wiener Einsatzgruppe Alarmabteilung) and, she says, “Currently I am worrying a lot about his well-being, as he is actively looking for the terrorists.”“The Situation right now is really scary, my phone is ringing all the time because everyone is so worried. It’s heartbreaking to see my beloved hometown [like this].”She says that the law firm where she works has told employees to work from home tomorrow. Her ex-boyfriend works for WEGA, the police special forces (Wiener Einsatzgruppe Alarmabteilung) and, she says, “Currently I am worrying a lot about his well-being, as he is actively looking for the terrorists.”
A friend of hers is spending the night sleeping in her office. There is the “constant noise” of helicopters overhead, says Lea.A friend of hers is spending the night sleeping in her office. There is the “constant noise” of helicopters overhead, says Lea.
She signs off:She signs off:
The Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, has announced that a second civilian has died in the attacks tonight, Reuters reports.The Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, has announced that a second civilian has died in the attacks tonight, Reuters reports.
The head of the United Nations, António Guterres, has voiced expressed the UN’s “solidarity with the people & government of Austria.”The head of the United Nations, António Guterres, has voiced expressed the UN’s “solidarity with the people & government of Austria.”
In a statement posted online his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, wrote:In a statement posted online his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, wrote:
The Vienna police have again urged people to stay at home, confirming that the incident is “still active” in a post retweeted from two hours ago.The Vienna police have again urged people to stay at home, confirming that the incident is “still active” in a post retweeted from two hours ago.
The Guardian understands that “several” people have died in the attacks tonight – this is what was said in the police press conference a short while ago by the interior minister, Karl Nehammer.The Guardian understands that “several” people have died in the attacks tonight – this is what was said in the police press conference a short while ago by the interior minister, Karl Nehammer.
Authorities have not yet confirmed an exact number, but they have confirmed that among the casualties are one civilian and one attacker.Authorities have not yet confirmed an exact number, but they have confirmed that among the casualties are one civilian and one attacker.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has sent his condolences, calling the attack “horrific and heartbreaking.”Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has sent his condolences, calling the attack “horrific and heartbreaking.”
“We condemn in the strongest terms possible this act of terrorism,” he wrote on Twitter.“We condemn in the strongest terms possible this act of terrorism,” he wrote on Twitter.