At least four dead and fifteen wounded in a series of attacks in Vienna
At least four people have been killed today, three civilians and an alleged terrorist attacker, in a series of terrorist attacks with firearms in six points in the center of Vienna that authorities warn are still ongoing, so the population has been asked not to take to the streets.
"We cannot yet establish a figure, we are still trying to get an overview," Daniel Mercher of the emergency services explained to the APA agency.
Medical sources cited by public television cite at least fifteen wounded, seven of them seriously.
The Federal Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, referred to what happened as "despicable terrorist attacks".
"I am glad that our policemen have already eliminated one of the perpetrators. We will never be intimidated by terrorism and we will fight against these attacks with all means," said the conservative politician.
The Ministry of Interior announced that the attackers killed three civilians and injured several people, including a policeman, and that some of the victims are in serious condition.
It has also been confirmed that one of the attackers was shot by security forces, and that at least another one escaped.
The police are analyzing whether the gunman who was shot was wearing an explosive belt, according to the mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig.
The attacks occurred in six different locations in the city, including the street where the city's main synagogue is located.
Regarding the identity and motivation of the attackers, authorities have said that it is still early and the situation is not yet clear.
The Minister of the Interior, Karl Nehammer, explained that there are "several attackers" who are heavily armed and dangerous, and he asked the population not to go out into the streets, since the attack is not over and the operation to locate the alleged terrorists continues.
The health services have established an emergency point in the center of the city to care for the injured according to their seriousness, reports APA.
The government has deployed a huge security apparatus in the center of the city, with special groups of the Police and anti-terrorist commands, and has even activated the special forces of the Army, the Jagdkommando, which have taken over the surveillance of public buildings in Vienna to free the police officers stationed there.
Units of these special forces are also at the disposal of the Vienna Police if required in the fight against terrorism, the Foreign Ministry said.
"The federal government has activated the necessary units of the Austrian Armed Forces with immediate effect," said the Chancellery.
The synagogue in whose vicinity the attack took place was closed at the time of the attack. This temple was already the target of an attack in 1981 that left two dead.
The street is part of one of Vienna's most popular nightlife areas, and many people took advantage of the last hours of bar opening before a curfew and a month-long closure due to the coronavirus pandemic took effect tonight.