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Terror in Vienna: Newsstand at 00:30
Several people were killed and injured in a terrorist attack in central Vienna on Monday night. Austrian police spoke of at least two deaths, including one of the perpetrators, late at night. At least 15 people were taken to hospitals with injuries. The attack had started around 8 p.m. in a nightlife district, where many people were out shortly before the curfews of the new crown began. There is also a synagogue there. The background was still unclear after hours.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz condemned the attack as a “repulsive terrorist attack”. “The police managed to eliminate one perpetrator, but there are still several perpetrators on the run,” he said late at night on ORF. Even after midnight there was still nothing clear. The entire center of the Austrian capital was largely cordoned off. Authorities asked the two million residents to stay home. In addition to the police, soldiers were also on duty.
According to the police, there were six different crime scenes. Several perpetrators with “long weapons” participated in the attack. The first shots were fired on Seitenstettengasse, a busy street in the center. The synagogue is also located there. Israelitische Kultusgemeinde President Oskar Deutsch wrote on Twitter that it could not be said if it was one of the targets. “What is certain, however, is that both the synagogue … and the office building at the same address were no longer in operation and were closed at the time of the first shots.”
Videos broadcast by private broadcaster Oe24 showed a masked shooter firing at least two shots at a man on the street. Another video showed a large pool of blood outside a restaurant. Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig told ORF that one of the attackers may have used a belt of explosives. In the attack, people were shot “indiscriminately at people in bars”, especially people who were sitting outside.
Federal Chancellor Kurz asked the population to continue to remain in a safe place. “Whether it is possible to resume normal public life tomorrow morning will largely depend on tonight and whether it is possible to capture or eliminate the suspects.” An anti-Semitic background cannot be ruled out. At the same time, he added: “We can’t really say anything about the background yet.”
The police also asked the population to avoid public places. “We are working with all possible strength. Avoid all public places in the city area, “he said on Twitter. It was also asked not to spread rumors over the Internet.” DO NOT post videos and photos on social networks, this puts both emergency services and people in danger! the civilian population! “
Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen said on Twitter: “We will defend our freedom and democracy together and resolutely by all means.” The alleged attack was also condemned internationally by numerous high-level politicians. (dpa)
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