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Vienna shooting: four dead, including 'Islamist terrorist', in Austria attack – live updates Vienna shooting: several people arrested after four die in Austria attack - live
(32 minutes later)
Police say three civilians died in attack by a ‘radicalised person’ and there may be more perpetrators at large after shootings across six locations Arrests come after three civilians die in attack by a ‘radicalised person’; shooter among the dead
Austria’s interior minister has repeated his request that people remain at home if they can, as police search for possible additional attackers.Austria’s interior minister has repeated his request that people remain at home if they can, as police search for possible additional attackers.
“Please avoid the city centre,” Karl Nehammer tweeted on Tuesday morning. Schools are also closed, he added, asking parents to look after their children at home.“Please avoid the city centre,” Karl Nehammer tweeted on Tuesday morning. Schools are also closed, he added, asking parents to look after their children at home.
The deceased attacker has been described by Austria’s interior minister as an Islamic State sympathiser.The deceased attacker has been described by Austria’s interior minister as an Islamic State sympathiser.
On Monday, an Islamic State-affiliated group of militants in Afghanistan killed at least 22 people during an assault on a Kabul University book fair, taking hostages and fighting gun battles with security forces for more than five hours.On Monday, an Islamic State-affiliated group of militants in Afghanistan killed at least 22 people during an assault on a Kabul University book fair, taking hostages and fighting gun battles with security forces for more than five hours.
Today has been declared a national day of mourning for Afghanistan.Today has been declared a national day of mourning for Afghanistan.
Here is our full story on that horrific attack:Here is our full story on that horrific attack:
Hello. Oliver here, taking over the live blog.Hello. Oliver here, taking over the live blog.
It is after 8 am in Vienna, roughly 12 hours since the attack began, and police are still searching for possible accomplices. I will be keeping you updated on all the latest. It is after 8am in Vienna, roughly 12 hours since the attack began, and police are still searching for possible accomplices. I will be keeping you updated on all the latest news.
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for today. Thank you sincerely to those of you who reached out to the Guardian during the night despite all that was going on.That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for today. Thank you sincerely to those of you who reached out to the Guardian during the night despite all that was going on.
I’ll leave you with comments from a reader named Lea: “Greetings from Vienna, an indestructible city. We will rise stronger than ever,” she wrote in an email. “There is a reason why everyone is saying “Wien ist anders [Vienna is different, a common slogan in the city]”.I’ll leave you with comments from a reader named Lea: “Greetings from Vienna, an indestructible city. We will rise stronger than ever,” she wrote in an email. “There is a reason why everyone is saying “Wien ist anders [Vienna is different, a common slogan in the city]”.
My colleague Oliver Holmes will be with you from now on.My colleague Oliver Holmes will be with you from now on.
You can read the story on how the night unfolded here:You can read the story on how the night unfolded here:
Austrian state broadcaster ORF reports that several people have been arrested and that seven police officers “made use of their service weapons on Monday evening in the course of the terrorist attack”.Austrian state broadcaster ORF reports that several people have been arrested and that seven police officers “made use of their service weapons on Monday evening in the course of the terrorist attack”.
Also, here is more detail from that press conference earlier:Also, here is more detail from that press conference earlier:
German chancellor Angela Merkel has responded to the news that the known attacker was an Islamic State sympathiser, saying Islamist Terrorism is a “common enemy,” Reuters reports. German chancellor Angela Merkel has responded to the news that the known attacker was an Islamic State sympathiser, saying Islamist terrorism is a “common enemy”, Reuters reports.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the attack “dastardly”, and says he is “deeply shocked and saddened”: Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has called the attack “dastardly”, and says he is “deeply shocked and saddened”:
Here is our story on the Islamic State sympathiser who led a terrorist shooting attack on Vienna on Monday night, killing at least three people.Here is our story on the Islamic State sympathiser who led a terrorist shooting attack on Vienna on Monday night, killing at least three people.
Austrian police are searching for accomplices who might still be at large.Austrian police are searching for accomplices who might still be at large.
A series of shooting in Vienna’s city centre left two women and one man dead. One attacker was killed by police. Twelve hours after the assault, it is unclear if the man acted alone, or how many other terrorists were involved.A series of shooting in Vienna’s city centre left two women and one man dead. One attacker was killed by police. Twelve hours after the assault, it is unclear if the man acted alone, or how many other terrorists were involved.
Fifteen people – including at least one police officer – were seriously injured in exchanges of gunfire, which broke out at 8pm. Seven victims were reported to be in critical condition.Fifteen people – including at least one police officer – were seriously injured in exchanges of gunfire, which broke out at 8pm. Seven victims were reported to be in critical condition.
Police were trawling through more than 20,000 videos given to authorities by members of the public to determine how many assailants were involved and the exact course of events.Police were trawling through more than 20,000 videos given to authorities by members of the public to determine how many assailants were involved and the exact course of events.
Initially, police said the shootings took place in six locations in Vienna’s 1st district near the Danube Canal, and warned of a group of “heavily armed and dangerous” gunmen. But by Tuesday morning police were not certain how many attackers were involved.Initially, police said the shootings took place in six locations in Vienna’s 1st district near the Danube Canal, and warned of a group of “heavily armed and dangerous” gunmen. But by Tuesday morning police were not certain how many attackers were involved.
“At the moment we think there’s more, we’re investigating,” Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl said.“At the moment we think there’s more, we’re investigating,” Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl said.
“It’s difficult to say for sure if it was one or several attackers. Lots of witnesses are injured, traumatised, and we have to analyse the data.“It’s difficult to say for sure if it was one or several attackers. Lots of witnesses are injured, traumatised, and we have to analyse the data.
“This will take some time … at this stage there is no definite answer.”“This will take some time … at this stage there is no definite answer.”
Border checks have been increased to neighbouring countries:Border checks have been increased to neighbouring countries:
Four people died in the Vienna attacks on Monday night, including one attacker. Two male civilians and one female were also killed. Fifteen people were seriously injured.Four people died in the Vienna attacks on Monday night, including one attacker. Two male civilians and one female were also killed. Fifteen people were seriously injured.
Austria’s interior minister, Karl Nehammer, described the attacker as an “Islamist terrorist” and said he believes there was more than one attacker and investigations were continuing.Austria’s interior minister, Karl Nehammer, described the attacker as an “Islamist terrorist” and said he believes there was more than one attacker and investigations were continuing.
Authorities were unable to confirm whether the attack was antisemitic, but said that the attack was definitely carried out by a “radicalised person”. Earlier in the press conference, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said, “we have experienced an attack from an Islamist terrorist.”Authorities were unable to confirm whether the attack was antisemitic, but said that the attack was definitely carried out by a “radicalised person”. Earlier in the press conference, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said, “we have experienced an attack from an Islamist terrorist.”
Earlier, authorities said at least one gunman remained on the run at 1am Vienna time. He warned the assailants were “heavily armed and dangerous” and urged the public to stay indoors until the all-clear was given.Earlier, authorities said at least one gunman remained on the run at 1am Vienna time. He warned the assailants were “heavily armed and dangerous” and urged the public to stay indoors until the all-clear was given.
15 people were injured and taken to hospital after the attack that began shortly after 8pm local time on Monday. One of the injured is thought to be a policeman. Seven of the injured were in a serious condition, Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig, said.15 people were injured and taken to hospital after the attack that began shortly after 8pm local time on Monday. One of the injured is thought to be a policeman. Seven of the injured were in a serious condition, Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig, said.
The attacks began with volleys of gunfire and the injury and death tolls are expected to rise.The attacks began with volleys of gunfire and the injury and death tolls are expected to rise.
One attacker was shot by police outside St Rupert’s Church. He was carrying an assault rifle, handguns and ammunition. His body was also found with an explosives vest. Later police said on Twitter that the explosives vest was fake.One attacker was shot by police outside St Rupert’s Church. He was carrying an assault rifle, handguns and ammunition. His body was also found with an explosives vest. Later police said on Twitter that the explosives vest was fake.
The assaults, by an unknown number of shooters carrying long firearms, occurred at six locations close to Seitenstettengasse in the heart of the Austrian capital.The assaults, by an unknown number of shooters carrying long firearms, occurred at six locations close to Seitenstettengasse in the heart of the Austrian capital.
The Austrian chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, described the assaults as a “definitely” terror attack that had been “very professionally” planned.The Austrian chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, described the assaults as a “definitely” terror attack that had been “very professionally” planned.
Police have searched the home of the attacker. They asked people not to share videos and images on social media of the attacks, but said 20,000 videos were given to them.Police have searched the home of the attacker. They asked people not to share videos and images on social media of the attacks, but said 20,000 videos were given to them.
Police have told residents to keep away from the centre of Vienna.Police have told residents to keep away from the centre of Vienna.
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.
Schools will be closed in Vienna on Tuesday.Schools will be closed in Vienna on Tuesday.
EU, US and other world leaders have expressed their solidarity with the Austrian people.EU, US and other world leaders have expressed their solidarity with the Austrian people.
The Vienna Police Department has tweeted the information they can confirm so far. It is the following:The Vienna Police Department has tweeted the information they can confirm so far. It is the following:
3 deceased persons (2 male, 1 female) [It is unclear whether he attacker is included in this total, as earlier reports listed three civilians as dead]3 deceased persons (2 male, 1 female) [It is unclear whether he attacker is included in this total, as earlier reports listed three civilians as dead]
15 severely injured persons, among them is an officer of the Vienna PD15 severely injured persons, among them is an officer of the Vienna PD
The assault was carried out by at least one suspect who was shot and killed by officersThe assault was carried out by at least one suspect who was shot and killed by officers
The suspect was armed with an assault rifle, among other handgunsThe suspect was armed with an assault rifle, among other handguns
The suspect was appearing to wear an explosive vest [earlier reports listed this as a ‘belt’] which turned out to be a dummyThe suspect was appearing to wear an explosive vest [earlier reports listed this as a ‘belt’] which turned out to be a dummy
The suspect’s apartment has been opened by SWAT and searchedThe suspect’s apartment has been opened by SWAT and searched
The sighting and evaluation of the numerous footage is happening at the momentThe sighting and evaluation of the numerous footage is happening at the moment
The Vienna Police have just tweeted the following information about what is known so far. They list three people as having died but it is unclear whether the attacker is included among the toll. We will bring you more as soon as we know.The Vienna Police have just tweeted the following information about what is known so far. They list three people as having died but it is unclear whether the attacker is included among the toll. We will bring you more as soon as we know.
The Vienna police have confirmed that the explosive belt worn by the attacker, who they described as an Islamic State sympathiser, was fake.The Vienna police have confirmed that the explosive belt worn by the attacker, who they described as an Islamic State sympathiser, was fake.
In that press conference which ended a moment ago Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said that the known attacker was an Islamic State sympathiser.In that press conference which ended a moment ago Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said that the known attacker was an Islamic State sympathiser.
He was armed with an explosive belt which tuned out to be fake and carried a bag of ammunition. He was killed by police.He was armed with an explosive belt which tuned out to be fake and carried a bag of ammunition. He was killed by police.
Nehammer also repeated calls for the public to stay at home on Tuesday.Nehammer also repeated calls for the public to stay at home on Tuesday.
Death toll climbs to four. Vienna’s police chief, Franz Ruf, confirmed that a third civilian had died in the attacks, bringing the toll to two men and one woman. One attacker, a man, has also been killed.Death toll climbs to four. Vienna’s police chief, Franz Ruf, confirmed that a third civilian had died in the attacks, bringing the toll to two men and one woman. One attacker, a man, has also been killed.
Authorities were unable to confirm whether the attack was antisemitic, but said that the attack was definitely carried out by a “radicalised person”. Earlier in the press conference, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said, “we have experienced an attack from an Islamist terrorist.”Authorities were unable to confirm whether the attack was antisemitic, but said that the attack was definitely carried out by a “radicalised person”. Earlier in the press conference, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said, “we have experienced an attack from an Islamist terrorist.”
There was at least one known attacker. He was killed by police. but authorities suspect there were more. The attacker wore an explosive belt and carried a bag of ammunition.There was at least one known attacker. He was killed by police. but authorities suspect there were more. The attacker wore an explosive belt and carried a bag of ammunition.
The home of the known attacker has been searched. Authorities were unable to reveal what was discovered.The home of the known attacker has been searched. Authorities were unable to reveal what was discovered.
The police have been sent more than 20,000 videos and are searching the content.The police have been sent more than 20,000 videos and are searching the content.
Nehammer said, “Austria is a democracy, shaped by free speech, tolerance in living together,” and that “The attack yesterday is an attack of these values and an inadequate attempt to divide us. We will not stand for this. There will be consequences.”Nehammer said, “Austria is a democracy, shaped by free speech, tolerance in living together,” and that “The attack yesterday is an attack of these values and an inadequate attempt to divide us. We will not stand for this. There will be consequences.”
Florian Klenk, the editor of Austrian news magazine Falter has tweeted that, “Nehammer did everything right in the [press conference]. Emphasize the unity of the country, fundamental rights and democratic principles. No escalation, but calm, empathic words that make it clear to the terrorists that Vienna cannot be divided. Hopefully this rhetoric stays the same.”Florian Klenk, the editor of Austrian news magazine Falter has tweeted that, “Nehammer did everything right in the [press conference]. Emphasize the unity of the country, fundamental rights and democratic principles. No escalation, but calm, empathic words that make it clear to the terrorists that Vienna cannot be divided. Hopefully this rhetoric stays the same.”