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Vienna terrorist attack: several dead after shooting near synagogue in Austria – live updates Vienna terrorist attack: several dead after shooting near synagogue in Austria – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Authorities say at least two civilians and one suspect are dead and at least one gunman is on the run after shootings across six locationsAuthorities say at least two civilians and one suspect are dead and at least one gunman is on the run after shootings across six locations
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.
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.
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.”
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 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 Austrian 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 Austrian 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.
If you are following along from Vienna and would like to speak to me, you can send me an email: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com or message me on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
The City of Vienna has tweeted confirming that children do not need to attend school tomorrow, after it was announced in the police press conference a short while ago.
“Due to the current situation, there will be no compulsory education in Vienna tomorrow. Children can therefore stay at home, excused. For all those for whom this is not possible, the schools are of course open. Stay safe and above all healthy!” the Tweet reads.
The explosive belt we mentioned earlier – reported to have been worn by an attacker who has since been shot – is currently being defused by the demining service, the Austrian broadcaster ORF reports:
At that press conference, Austria’s interior minister, Karl Nehammer, called Monday the “hardest day for Austria several years,” the BBC reports.
Initial 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 synagogue, 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 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 stopped by security forces. Two people were killed and 21 others injured in the attack:
There will be another press conference at 6am tomorrow, the police have said. That press conference has now ended.
Austrian interior minister Karl Nehammer has said that “several” people have died in the attack.
He has also said: • At least one attacker still on the run• Children not required to go to school on Tuesday• He has repeated the appeal to the public to avoid central Vienna
That press conference has started. We will bring you updates in English shortly.
You can watch it live here.
Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Monday night that the attack in the heart of Vienna was “definitely” a terror attack that had been “very professionally” planned.Citing government sources, broadcaster ORF reported that the gunman shot by police outside St Rupert’s Church was carrying an explosive belt and a bag filled with a large amount of ammunition.Several special forces units have been brought together to search for “mobile perpetrators” who are still believed to be at large.Oskar Deutsch, the president of the Jewish Community Vienna said on Twitter that all synagogues, Jewish schools, kosher restaurants and supermarkets would remain closed on Tuesday.
We will be bringing you that police conference live as it happens.