Knife attack in Sydney: the death toll rises to six, in addition to the assailant shot dead

The death toll from a stabbing attack at a shopping center in Sydney, Australia on Saturday has risen to seven.

Police said Saturday evening that six people were killed by an attacker, himself shot dead by a female officer, revising a previously announced death toll of five. The sixth victim died of his injuries in hospital, and other injured people are still being treated in hospital, according to local police. A man stabbed several people at a shopping center in central Sydney on Saturday afternoon.

Customers and traders had to evacuate the building in panic. The assailant was shot dead by a police officer during the law enforcement operation. The latter’s bravery was praised by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who judged that she had thus avoided a heavier death toll. He said the attacker’s motives had not yet been determined. The man seems to have “acted alone” in the Westfield shopping center in Bondi Junction, he added. “Any speculation would not be helpful at this stage. We must allow investigators to do their job“, he replied, questioned by the press on the reason for a possible terrorist trail.