Austrian Interior Minister Carl Nehammer called the incident a “terrorist attack” and urged members of the public to stay indoors as police searched for the remaining attackers.
Firing erupted in the Austrian capital on Monday night, just hours before a nationwide lockdown began to counter the resurgence of Covid-19.
Police said in a statement that several suspects were “armed with rifles” and had six different shooting locations. Several people have been injured in the city center.
According to police, “all possible forces” are responding to the incident, urging people to avoid the area and not to share photos or videos on social media.
The area where the shooting took place is a busy district filled with bars and rest restaurants rent, near Vienna’s main synagogue, the Sittangtanges Temple.
Oscar Deutsche, head of Vienna’s Jewish community, said in a tweet that it was not clear if the synagogue was the target, but it was closed at the time of the shooting.
The inner city was packed early at midnight in Le Cadoun and footage shared on social media showed people fleeing the area.
European leaders have condemned the attack, expressing shock and grief.
“Europe strongly condemns this cowardly act that violates life and our human values,” European Council President Charles Mitchell said on Twitter.
This is a developing story, to follow updates
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