On the last night before a new lockdown, live shots were fired from at least six different places in Vienna. The perpetrators targeted people on terraces, among other things. Chancellor Kurz speaks of revolting terror, at least fifteen were wounded and at least one civilian was killed. The manhunt for the perpetrators is still ongoing: one perpetrator was eliminated, at least one is still on the run, while it is unclear how many the terrorists were.
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The fire was opened around 8 pm at the synagogue in the center of the city, near the Danube River. A man in white clothes and a long gun opened fire. It is not clear whether he was after the house of worship or the security guard nearby. The latter sank from his injuries. According to the newspaper Kronen newspaper the attacker would then have blown himself up with a bomb belt, although the police did not confirm that message.
Five other places in the Austrian capital were also fired at people sitting on terraces. That could be the last time until midnight on Monday evening, before Vienna would go into lockdown again on Tuesday. Amateur video shows how a victim is heavily bleeding cared for in front of the entrance of a restaurant.
The police are calling to stay indoors. There is panic in the city. For example, rumors about a hostage situation were going on, but that was not confirmed.
–It is unclear how many perpetrators are being sought
More than two hours after the first shots, the Austrian police confirmed the death of one perpetrator and one more someone else. According to Kronen Zeitung, a police officer and a passer-by were killed, but at a press conference shortly after 1am, the chief of police only confirmed the death of one civilian. Many people were injured: at least fifteen people were hospitalized, at least seven of them were in bad shape. Among them also a police officer, it was confirmed at the press conference. He is undergoing surgery.
Meanwhile, the police manhunt continues in town, with helicopters and police cars tearing through the streets. In the historic city center, pedestrians and cyclists are urged to leave. Cars are also denied access. There were still people in the pub and restaurant, but they are waiting for the police to give the green light to leave.
At the nightly press conference, interior minister Karl Nehammer stated that at least one more perpetrator was on the run. He urged to stay at home, unless there really is no other option, and to keep children at home as much as possible. Tuesday will therefore exceptionally not be compulsory for school.
The mayor of the Austrian capital, Michael Ludwig, stated just before that it was not clear exactly how many the perpetrators were. In any case, they would be heavily armed, probably one of them is wearing a bomb belt, he told ORF. There is also still a lack of clarity about their motives. According to the mayor, the gunmen were targeting people sitting in a café or on the terrace. Random shots were fired.
Still active: Stay at home! If you’re on the Streets, take shelter! Keep away from public places, don’t use public Transportation! #0211w
– POLICE VIENNA (@LPDWien) November 2, 2020
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Images requested
The Austrian Ministry of the Interior is calling on anyone who has made videos or photos of the attacks to make those images available to the police. The footage can help law enforcement to investigate and identify the perpetrators, Austrian broadcaster ORF reports. The Vienna police had previously made a similar call on Twitter.
Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) also stressed not to post videos of the violence on social media.
–“Disgusting Terror”
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) speaks of a “revolting terror attack”. “Our police are determined to act against the perpetrators of this disgusting terrorist attack,” he wrote on Twitter.
Kurz said the Austrian army will take over the security of Vienna, so that the police can focus on fighting terrorism.
Interior Minister Karl Nehammer spoke of the darkest day for Austria in years.
Shortly after France
Violence in Vienna comes barely five days after an attack in a church in Nice. A 21-year-old Tunisian killed three people there, after which the highest threat level was declared across France.
On behalf of Belgium, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed his condolences to Vienna on Monday evening via Twitter. De Croo’s tweet was written in German and addressed to the Austrian Chancellor. “Shocked and saddened by the terrible terror attack this evening in Vienna. My deepest condolences to the victims and their families. I express my solidarity with the people of Vienna and Austria. We will never give in to terror, ”said De Croo.
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