Armed Attack Near Vienna Synagogue Leaves Several Casualties

By Staff, Agencies

Several people have been killed or injured in an armed attack that took place in the Austrian capital Vienna, according to officials.

Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer confirmed that one of the perpetrators behind the shooting in Vienna was an extremist terrorist, adding that his accomplice, another man killed by police, was a Daesh [the Arabic acronym for terrorist ‘ISIS/ISIL’ group] sympathizer.

He said at least one attacker has died in the shooting that took place near a synagogue in Vienna.

Meanwhile, police said the death toll from the shooting in the Austrian capital has grown to three.

Vienna police confirmed there were six sites of attack with multiple attackers. Police initially confirmed one death and one terrorist killed.

Nehammer said some people were thought to have been killed and several seriously injured, including a police officer.

The incident took place near the central Schwedenplatz square.

Police have urged people to avoid the area and not to take public transport.

Road blocks have been set up around the city center. Footage posted on social media showed people running as what was reported to be gunshots could be heard.

Police urged social media users not to post videos of the ongoing police operation, so as not to endanger officers.

“We are on site with all available forces. Please avoid all public squares in the city,” the police tweeted.