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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
The AFP news agency has put together this wrap up of EU’s leader’s reactions to the attacks in Vienna, as they vow to stand by Austria.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron said: “We French share the shock and sorrow of the Austrian people following the attack in Vienna.
“After France, it is a friendly nation that has been attacked. This is our Europe. Our enemies must know who they’re dealing with. We will concede nothing,” he tweeted in both French and German.
Germany
Germany’s foreign ministry vowed not to “give in to hate that is supposed to divide our societies.
“Even if we can’t yet foresee the extent of the terror, our thoughts are with the wounded and the victims in these difficult hours,” the ministry wrote on Twitter, calling the news from neighbouring Austria “horrifying and disturbing”.
Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said there was “no room for hatred and violence in our common European home,” while his foreign minister Luigi Di Maio tweeted that “Europe must react”.
EU
EU Council chief Charles Michel said that “Europe strongly condemns this cowardly act that violates life and our human values. My thoughts are with the victims and the people of Vienna in the wake of tonight’s horrific attack. We stand with Austria”.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted that she was “shocked and saddened”, saying her “thoughts are with the families of the victims and the Austrian people.”
The president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, said he felt “sadness and horror” and the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell called it “a cowardly act of violence and hate.”
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, which neighbours Austria, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said he was “horrified by the attack... and I want to express my solidarity to all people in Austria and my friend Sebastian Kurz”.
Greece
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted that he was “Shocked by the horrific attacks in Vienna” and had offered Kurz Athens’ “full solidarity”.
“Our thoughts are with the people in Vienna and the authorities dealing with the situation. Our hearts, with the victims and their loved ones,” Mitsotakis added
Vienna City Hospital chief has spoken to Austrian broadcaster ORF.
He says 15 people have been injured in the attack, either hurt in the shooting or while fighting. This has not been confirmed by police at this point.
This is consistent with a previous statement from Vienna mayor Michael Ludwig, who told ORF that 15 people were being treated in Vienna hospitals and that seven were in a serious condition.
Chris Zhao, a student in Vienna, was in a restaurant when the attack took place.
He told the BBC he heard between 20 and 30 bangs that sounded like firecrackers just after 8 pm.
The manager locked the door to the restaurant at first, but when he left Zhao says he saw several people injured and one body
“We didn’t know what was going on,” he said.
“We were in shock.”
Czech police said they had started random checks on the country’s border with Austria following Monday’s attack near a Vienna synagogue that had left at least two dead and several injured.
“Police are carrying out random checks of vehicles and passengers on border crossings with Austria as a preventive measure in relation to the terror attack in Vienna,” Czech police tweeted.
This comes after the Austrian interior minister confirmed law enforcement was expanding their search for mobile attackers outside of Vienna.
Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek said in a tweet Czech police were also in touch with Austrian colleagues following the “dreadful news from Vienna”.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis tweeted his condolences over the attack near the Stadttempel synagogue.
“I am horrified by the attack on the Vienna synagogue and I want to express my solidarity to all people in Austria and my friend (Austrian Chancellor) Sebastian Kurz,” Babis tweeted.
EU leaders have also expressed solidarity with the Austrian people
Here is an update from Reuters, recapping the Interior minister’s comments to ORF: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.”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“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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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”.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.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: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.