[ad_1]
Mayor: Second death – Bullet shooter wore a simulated explosive belt
The death toll after the fatal shots in the center of Vienna rose to two. Another person died of injuries at the hospital, according to Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig. Therefore, it is a woman, the first known fatality is a man. In the evening, Ludwig also confirmed to the ORF rumors that the attacker who was shot by the police was wearing an explosive belt, but was a mannequin, investigations were ongoing. Other possible culprits are also being sought.
Interior Minister: At least one suspect remains at large
After Monday night’s attack in central Vienna, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer spoke of the “most difficult day for Austria in many years” at a press conference that night. Austria is facing an attack that the country has not had to suffer in this violence for a long time. There are “several injured” and “several dead”. A terrorist armed with an “automatic assault rifle” was “killed” successfully. At least one perpetrator continues to flee. “Whoever attacks one of us attacks all of us,” said the ÖVP politician.
Nehammer appealed to the citizens of the capital to stay home on Tuesday or at least avoid the city center. In consultation with other authorities, it was agreed to suspend compulsory schooling for Tuesday; parents should keep their children at home if possible. “The day is considered excused.”
That same night, Nehammer had declared that the exchange of fire was an “apparent terrorist attack” https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/. “We are still fighting suspected terrorists,” said the minister at ORF.
Franz Ruf, director general of Public Security, said that several authorities were involved in the “highly sensitive investigation.” There are barriers in the inner and outer areas of Vienna, as well as increased border controls, which also include neighboring countries. The “imperative of the moment” is “to ensure safety against danger.”
One passerby killed, many injured
According to the police, at least one passerby was killed in the attack. Several people were injured, some seriously, including a police officer. This is out of danger for life. A spokesman for the Vienna Health Association said in the evening that 15 wounded had been admitted to hospitals. At least seven of the victims were seriously injured.
Vienna police discuss six crime scenes in the city center
According to the police, there are a total of six crime scenes, all in the immediate vicinity of Seitenstettengasse. The other crime scenes are apparently in the meat market, in Morzinplatz, in the farmers market, in Salzgries and in Graben.
The Interior Ministry spokesman said he “could not confirm” the rumor of a hostage taking circulating on social media. Rumors that one of the perpetrators was wearing an explosive belt cannot be confirmed, but neither can they be ruled out.
The government hires the armed forces
Chancellor Kurz stated that the federal government had decided that the armed forces would take over the protection of property in Vienna, which had previously been carried out by the police, to relieve the police.
Indiscriminate shooting in bars
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig stated that “people in bars” were shot “indiscriminately”, especially those who were sitting outside. It is currently not possible to estimate whether there are “more dangers”. Shortly before closing, which should begin in Austria on Tuesday evening, the city center was unusually crowded.
Videos broadcast by private broadcaster “Oe24” Monday night showed a masked shooter firing at least two shots on the street. Another video showed a large pool of blood outside a restaurant.
Speculation on the synagogue as a target of attack.
From the official side, there was initially no confirmation of suspicions that the attack was directed at Vienna’s main synagogue, which is located in Seitenstettengasse. The president of the Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien (IKG) and the highest representative of the Jews in Austria, Oskar Deutsch, wrote on Twitter that the Seitenstettengasse synagogue “was no longer in operation and was closed at the time of the first shots.” Shots were fired in the vicinity of the city temple. IKG President Deutsch spoke of the fact that shots had been fired at various locations close to the community. “Apparently, the perpetrators shot, among other things, in a bar and in a restaurant,” said Deutsch of the SZ.
If it really were a terrorist attack on the synagogue, it would be the third in just over 40 years. In April 1979, a kilogram of plastic explosives exploded in the courtyard of the Vienna City Temple. A Palestinian terrorist group took responsibility at that time. In August 1981, another Palestinian terrorist squad carried out an attack on the Seitenstett temple, in which two people died and 21 were seriously injured. The perpetrators stormed the synagogue during Saturday’s service and fired into the crowd.
