A knife attack left six people dead and several injured on Saturday in a crowded shopping center in Sydney, Australia, a police official told the press, who did not rule out the “terrorist” possibility. 20 minutes summarizes what we know about this attack.
What happened ?
The tragedy occurred at the sprawling Westfield Bondi Junction shopping complex, which was packed with shoppers on Saturday afternoon. Surveillance camera footage broadcast by Australian media showed a man with a large knife running through the shopping center, and injured people lying on the ground.
Around 4 p.m. local time, Reece Colmenares was on her way to the gym when she saw “people running and screaming” that someone had been stabbed. She then took refuge in a hardware store with 10 to 12 other people. Other witnesses told AFP there was panic, with people seeking shelter while police tried to secure the area.
How many victims are there?
“I am informed that five victims have died,” initially indicated Anthony Cooke, deputy commissioner of the New South Wales state police. “One person died in hospital,” a police spokesperson added a little later. This attack also left several injured, eight of whom, including a child, were transported to hospital. “They all have traumatic injuries,” said the New South Wales state emergency services spokesperson.
As night fell, dozens of police and ambulances were still outside the mall, stretchers ready to transport the injured to nearby hospitals.
What do we know about the attacker and his motivations?
The motive for the attack was not immediately specified, but Anthony Cooke affirmed that the “terrorist” trail could not be ruled out at this stage. “I don’t know who he is yet. You will understand that this is a very complex matter. The investigations are very recent and we continue to try to identify the culprit,” he added.
New South Wales Ambulance said a man had been shot dead by police and was believed to be the attacker. He appears to have acted alone, Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese told a news conference. “For all of us this evening, the appalling scenes at Bondi Junction are beyond words and beyond comprehension,” he added.