Terrorism in Vienna: six shots were fired, at least one person died

Shots fired in the Inner City district – there are persons injured – KEEP AWAY from all public places or public Transport – don’t share any Videos or Fotos!

– POLICE VIENNA (@LPDWien) November 2, 2020

“It sounded like firecrackers,” an eyewitness, who did not want to be named, told ORF television. “Then I noticed they were shots. I saw a man running down the (street) Seitenstettengasse and firing wildly from an automatic weapon. Then he turned (…) towards (square) Schwedenplatz. He continued to shoot wildly. Then the police came and shot. ” According to witnesses contacted by the oe24.at server, “at least 50 shots” were fired.

The situation remains very confusing. According to Reuters and the APA, the attacks claimed up to fifteen injuries, seven of whom – including one police officer – are in serious condition. ORF said at least three Austrian police officers had been transported to the hospital. Some Austrian media speak of three to eight victims.

According to the tabloid Kronen Zeitung, which was the first to report the incident, a police officer was injured. After his death, he is also said to be one of the assassins who detonated a belt with explosives.

Police officers continue the heavy raid; the area around Schwedenplatz is closed and the police on twitter urged citizens to stay away from all public spaces and not to use public transport. People should also not share videos and photos.

Border checks

The Ministry of the Interior described the incident as terrorism and confirmed that several wounded were on the scene, without even excluding the dead. Although police announced that the patrols were intervening in the incident in the city center, they did not officially confirm the attack on the synagogue. Police later reported shooting in six different locations in Vienna.

Meanwhile, security guards at a Jewish community in Austria called on all fellow Jews not to leave their homes. Referring to the IKG, the APA stated that at the time of the attack, no one was in the synagogue or adjacent areas belonging to the village.

In connection with the terrorist attack in Vienna, we have taken preventive measures at the border crossings with Austria. Police officers carry out random checks on vehicles and passengers. We are closely monitoring the situation in the neighboring state, and we will inform the public about any changes in the measures.

– Police of the Czech Republic (@PolicieCZ) November 2, 2020

Czech police are guarding the border with Austria due to the attack. “In connection with the terrorist attack in Vienna, we have taken precautionary measures at the border crossings with Austria. Police are carrying out random checks on vehicles and passengers,” police said on twitter.

Terrifying news from Vienna, the shooting in the center has resulted in several wounded, probably dead, according to the Austrian Ministry of the Interior. @PolicieCZ is in contact with Austrian colleagues, measures are taken at border crossings with the Czech Republic.

– Jan Hamacek (@jhamacek) November 2, 2020

The Minister of the Interior, Jan Hamáček (CSSD), has already commented on the attacks. “Terrifying news from Vienna, shooting in the center has resulted in several wounded, probably dead, according to the Austrian Ministry of the Interior. Police are in contact with Austrian colleagues, measures have been taken at border crossings,” he wrote on Twitter.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (YES) also rushed to the reaction. “I am appalled by the attack on the synagogue in Vienna and I want to express my solidarity with all the people in Austria and with my friend Sebastian Kurz,” he said.

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