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At least two dead after attack in Vienna, at least one perpetrator still on the run | NOW

The terror attack on Monday evening in Vienna claimed the lives of at least two civilians, at least 15 people were injured. One of the perpetrators was shot by the police, at least one perpetrator is still a fugitive.

According to the Viennese mayor Michael Ludwig, the murdered suspect was armed with a hand gun and a machete in addition to a rifle. According to Ludwig, the murdered perpetrator was “very well prepared”. The police are still investigating the identity of the man.

The man was probably not wearing a real bomb belt that was previously mentioned, but a fake one. This is currently being investigated.

Police soon reported that one person had died. Ludwig later told Austrian public broadcaster ORF that a woman in hospital died of her injuries. At least 15 injured people are being treated in hospital, including an officer who is no longer in danger of death.

Shots started at synagogue in popular entertainment district

Shots were shot at six different locations in Vienna’s old town. The shootings began around 8 p.m. in the immediate vicinity of a synagogue, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said.

Nothing is yet known about the motive of the perpetrators. It is not clear whether the synagogue was a target. The building that was closed during the attack is located in a popular entertainment district in the Austrian capital with many cafes and restaurants. It was busy on Monday evening, because from Tuesday there will be a curfew throughout Austria to combat the outbreak of the corona virus. Many people made use of their freedom for a while and sat on the many terraces in the balmy evening weather.

Manhunt for alleged perpetrators

According to Interior Minister Karl Nehammer, at least one more perpetrator is on the run. He warned late Monday evening that a manhunt is underway for several alleged perpetrators, who are “heavily armed and dangerous”. “We have brought together several special forces who are now looking for the suspected terrorists,” said Nehammer.

The minister hinted that the perpetrators may have fled the capital and that they are “mobile”. He insisted to stay indoors until the authorities signal that the streets are safe again.

Austria immediately strengthened border surveillance. The Czech police have also decided to switch to additional border controls. The Czech authorities have also decided to give extra security to Jewish institutions.

Nehammer called for avoiding the center of Vienna for the time being. The city center is largely closed off. Public transport in the relevant district has been shut down. He also said that children do not have to go to school there on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Kurtz: ‘Disgusting act of terrorism’

Austrian Prime Minister Sebastian Kurz has called the series of shooting incidents that took place in Vienna on Monday evening a “disgusting act of terrorism”. Kurz also reported via his Twitter account that the army is taking over the surveillance of some places in the Austrian capital, so that the police can fully focus on the manhunt for the fugitive perpetrators.

The prime minister said to the Austrian public broadcaster ORF that the threat is still unabated. “It is definitely a terrorist attack,” said Kurz, who did not rule out an anti-Semitic motive. “Whether it is possible to resume public life as normal tomorrow morning will depend very much on the current night and whether it is possible to catch or eliminate the suspects,” said the prime minister.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte has his condolences via Twitter affirmed. “On behalf of the Netherlands, I have just expressed our unconditional support to Sebastian Kurz with the victims, their families and the Austrian government in coming to terms with this horrific act.”

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