Vienna: Gunmen attacked six locations in central Vienna on Monday starting outside the main synagogue, killing two people and injuring at least 15 in what Austria called a “repulsive terror attack” while hunting one or more assailants on the loose.
One of the gunmen was shot dead by police who said they were hunting for at least one more assailant still at large.
The attacks, in six locations including near a synagogue in the centre of the city, were carried out by “several suspects armed with rifles”, police said on Monday night.
A large area of central Vienna was cordoned off and police said a significant deployment was under way.
The attack began at about 8pm (19:00 GMT) on Monday, when several men armed with rifles opened fire – starting outside the city’s main synagogue – as many people took advantage of the last evening before a nationwide curfew took effect because of COVID-19.
“We are victims of a despicable terror attack in the federal capital that is still ongoing,” Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said hours after the gunfire erupted.
“One of the perpetrators was neutralized, but several perpetrators appear to still be on the loose,” he said. “They seem to also, as far as we know, be very well equipped, with automatic weapons. So they were very well prepared.”
The police also advised people to stay indoors and if out on the streets then to refrain from using public transportation.
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