Vienna terror attack: gunmen ‘flee’ after three killed in multiple shootings

At least one gunman responsible for a terrorist attack in Vienna that left several people dead remains at large, authorities have warned.

A huge police manhunt is underway to find the attacker, shot and killed by the police.

Gunshots were heard at six locations in the Austrian capital at approximately 8pm on Monday.

Austrian authorities confirmed the deaths of three civilians, two men and one woman.

Vienna police have said that the “well-prepared” attack was carried out by “several” suspects armed with rifles.

They added that a suspect was shot and killed by police. He was wearing an anti-aircraft belt and the police searched his home and videos were seized.

A police officer is also believed to have been seriously injured.

The attack was first reported near a synagogue at 8pm local time.

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The images and video appeared to show gunfire in the area of ​​one of the city’s main squares, with police flooding the scene. Residents are urged to stay indoors.

A witness claimed to have seen a gunman open fire on people sitting in a beer garden, while images posted on social media appeared to show armed police officers walking through a restaurant looking for suspects.

Witness Chris Zhao was at a nearby restaurant when the shooting began.

He told the BBC: “We heard noises that sounded like firecrackers. We heard between 20 and 30 and we thought it was actually gunshots. We saw ambulances … lining up.

“There were victims. Unfortunately, we also saw a body dumped in the street next to us.”

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig said 15 people were admitted to the hospital, seven with serious injuries.

The terrorist attack comes on the last night before Austria enters a coronavirus lockdown, with bars and restaurants in the country closed since midnight tonight.

“Shooting in the Inner City district – people are injured – KEEP AWAY from all public places or public transportation,” police warned on Twitter.

“We have assembled various special forces units that are now looking for the suspected terrorists. Therefore I am not limiting it to one area of ​​Vienna because these are mobile perpetrators,” Nehammer told ORF broadcaster.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described the shootings as a “gruesome terrorist attack.”

He tweeted: “We are currently going through difficult times in our republic. I would like to thank all the emergency services who risk their lives, especially today for our safety.

“Our police will take decisive action against the perpetrators of this appalling terrorist attack. I am glad that our police officers have already been able to eliminate one perpetrator.

“We will never be intimidated by terrorism and will fight these attacks with determination by all means.”

Austrian authorities have not ruled out an anti-Semitic motive for the attack, Chancellor Kurz said.

He told reporters: “We can’t really say anything about the background yet.

“Of course an anti-Semitic background cannot be ruled out.”

Police urged people to avoid all open spaces and public transportation in the city. They also said that the trams and buses did not stop and urged users of social networks not to post videos of the police operation.

The terrified crowds were locked in the restaurants until the areas had been secured

Many sat on the ground in the dark while they waited for the police to let them out.

Oskar Deutsch, the head of the Jewish community in Vienna, said the shooting took place on the street where the city’s main synagogue is located, but that it was unclear whether the house of worship had been targeted.

The synagogue was already closed at the time of the shooting, Deutsch tweeted. A neighboring restaurant was also closed.

“We live in the compound of the synagogue. Hearing the gunshots, we looked down (from) the windows and saw the gunmen shooting at the guests of the various bars and pubs,” Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister told LBC radio in London.

“Gunmen were running and firing at least 100 rounds or even more in front of our building,” he said.

Videos of an armed man running down a cobbled street, shooting and screaming, circulated on social media.

French President Emmanuel Macron promised that Europe would not bow to the terrorists after the shootings.

“We French share the shock and pain of the Austrian people after the attack in Vienna,” Macron tweeted in French and German.

“After France, it is a friendly nation that has been attacked. This is our Europe. Our enemies must know who they are dealing with. We will concede nothing.”

US President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter: “Our prayers go out to the people of Vienna after another vile act of terrorism in Europe.

“These evil attacks on innocent people must stop. The United States supports Austria, France and all of Europe in the fight against terrorists, including radical Islamic terrorists.”

Both Boris Johnson and Interior Minister Priti Patel tweeted to express their solidarity with Austria.

Johnson said: “I am deeply shocked by the terrible attacks in Vienna tonight.

“The UK’s thoughts are with the Austrian people; we are united with you against terrorism.”