The attack in Vienna claimed three civilian lives. An attacker who was a sympathizer of the Islamic State extremist group was killed, Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer told at a news conference. At least 14 more people were injured, several of them seriously.
Two men and a woman died in a shooting attack in the center of Vienna yesterday, according to the Austrian police. One of the suspects for the attack was also killed, foreign media reports. 14 people – including police officers – are being treated in hospital, seven people are said to be in critical condition.
The horrific attack happened last night, right before Austria began to close restaurants and bars across the country due to rising infections with COVID-19. Bars and restaurants were supposed to close at midnight and people gathered to enjoy one last night of freedom.
Shocking footage of a man carrying a rifle, sprinting through the streets of Vienna and shooting was posted on social media shortly after reports of the attack. There is also a video online of a man being shot by an attacker. Judging by the footage circulating on social media, there were at least 10 attackers attacking Vienna at six locations.
Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer explained at a morning press conference that the assailant was known to the police and he was a sympathizer of the Islamic State. He was equipped with an explosive jacket, which turned out to be fake. Police further tweeted that the attacker was armed with an automatic rifle and several pistols.
Police suspect there were more attackers, but the exact number is not yet known. The minister urged Viennese, including children, to stay home and avoid the city center. School will not be compulsory today, he said.
Police have already searched the attacker’s apartment, are now going through about 20,000 different shots to find out how the attack unfolded.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called the attack a “disgusting terrorist attack”. “Our police will take decisive action against this heinous terrorist attack. I am pleased that our police officers have already caught and disabled one of the attackers. We will never allow ourselves to be intimidated by terrorism and we will resolutely fight such attacks by all means,” he wrote.
He also announced that the Austrian army will take over the protection of facilities in the capital, which are otherwise protected by the police, so that the police officers can focus entirely on the fight against terrorism.
After the attack in Vienna, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša expressed solidarity with Austria. He advocated for zero tolerance for radical Islamism. “After France, Austria. Who’s next? No one is immune to the terrorist threat in Europe. Zero tolerance for radical Islamism. Slovenia is in full solidarity with Austria,” Prime Minister Janša said on Twitter.
Defense Minister Matej Tonin tweeted that it was a sad day for Europe and a tragic one for Austria: “Another cowardly attack. Let the innocent victims be in our thoughts and prayers. Investing in security and consistently persecuting all extremism is a necessity and no longer a matter of choice.” The Slovenian Foreign Ministry also responded. “Appalled by the terrifying events in Vienna, our thoughts are with our Austrian neighbours, the injured, victims and their families. We must stay united and never give in to terror!” they wrote on Twitter.
Condemnations of the attack and expressions of support and solidarity with Austria are coming from Europe. “I am shocked and saddened by the brutal attack that took place in Vienna. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and the Austrian people,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said Europe will not bow to terrorists. “The French share the shock and grief with the Austrians who were hit by an attack tonight in the heart of their capital Vienna. After France, a friendly country is being attacked. This is our Europe. Our enemies need to know who they are dealing with. We will not give up anything,” tweeted Macron.
“We must not give in to the hatred that is supposed to divide our societies. Even if we cannot yet predict the extent of the violence, we are thinking of the wounded and the victims in these difficult hours,” the German Foreign Ministry wrote. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte added: “There is no room for hatred and violence in our common European home.”
US President Donald Trump wrote in a tweet that they are praying for the people of Vienna after “yet another vile act of terrorism in Europe”. “These evil attacks against innocent people must stop. The U.S. stands with Austria, France, and all of Europe in the fight against terrorists, including radical Islamic terrorists,” he wrote.
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