NEW DELHI: Five people on Saturday were killed in an attack at a busy shopping centre in Sydney’s Bondi Junction. The attacker entered the mall when it was packed with shoppers and stabbed several people, according to several reports.
An attacker armed with a knife killed five people Saturday before being shot dead by a policewoman at a busy Sydney shopping centre, police said.
“I’m advised that there are five victims who are now deceased as a result of the actions of this offender,” New South Wales police assistant commissioner Anthony Cooke told a news conference.
Eight individuals, including a toddler, were taken to hospitals in Sydney, but their conditions have not yet been made public, the Sydney Morning Hearld reported.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a tweet expressed condolences to all those people who lost their loved ones.
Here’s what we know so far:
An attacker armed with a knife killed five people Saturday before being shot dead by a policewoman at a busy Sydney shopping centre, police said.
“I’m advised that there are five victims who are now deceased as a result of the actions of this offender,” New South Wales police assistant commissioner Anthony Cooke told a news conference.
Eight individuals, including a toddler, were taken to hospitals in Sydney, but their conditions have not yet been made public, the Sydney Morning Hearld reported.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a tweet expressed condolences to all those people who lost their loved ones.
Here’s what we know so far:
- According to the police, the assailant killed five people before being shot dead. The police also said that the suspected acted alone.
- Among the injured are a mother and her baby receiving treatment for stab wounds.
- The attack unfolded amidst the bustling Saturday afternoon crowd of shoppers at the mall.
- Security camera footage aired by local media shows a man brandishing a large knife and injured individuals on the ground.
- The motive behind the attack remains unclear
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed condolences, stating, “Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported, and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones. Our hearts go out to those injured, and we offer our thanks to those caring for them, along with our brave police and first responders.”
- The mall remains on lockdown, with shoppers emerging from stores where they sought refuge, while heavily armed tactical response teams comb through the premises.
- Authorities have cautioned the public to avoid the area due to the high presence of ambulances and police vehicles.
- Social media posts captured the chaotic scene as crowds fled the mall, and emergency services rushed to the site.
- “Even 20 minutes after people were rushed out of the mall, I saw SWAT teams of people sweeping the surrounding streets,” Reuters reported one witness saying.
- The
stabbing took place around 4pm (local time) on Saturday when witnesses say a man stabbing people at random. - Aerial footage captured armed police maneuvering on the rooftop of a Bondi building.
(With inputs from agencies)