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Six individuals have been killed and several other others injured in a stabbing at a crowded main mall in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday afternoon, prompting police to declare a severe incident and evacuate the world.
Police mentioned the attacker was shot by a lone police officer and despatched into the mall by individuals fleeing the scene. In keeping with police, the officer was chasing the person with a knife and making an attempt to catch him, when he turned towards him and raised his weapon. The officer then returned fireplace, saving lives, New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Cook dinner mentioned at a information briefing.
Assistant Commissioner Cook dinner mentioned that the attacker attacked about 9 individuals with a knife whereas passing by way of the mall on Saturday afternoon. Emergency responders mentioned eight individuals have been transported to space hospitals. He mentioned that the situation of a number of the injured was vital, together with a small little one.
The attacker acted alone and there’s no menace, he mentioned.
“We’re not conscious of something on the scene that might point out any motive or ideology,” Assistant Commissioner Cook dinner advised the briefing. He mentioned that the investigation continues to be within the preliminary stage. He added, “We’re not ruling something out.”
Officers acquired stories of a number of individuals being stabbed shortly earlier than 4 p.m. A number of photographs and movies on social media confirmed teams of individuals making an attempt to assist bloodied victims and others on the mall, Westfield Bondi Working away from the junction, as a result of the alarm was going off, or taking shelter in components of the mall. Some retailers inside are closed behind shutters.
Terrified consumers advised the information crew that they’d hid in again rooms in worry after the preliminary assaults, and later heard gunshots.
Video from contained in the purchasing heart confirmed a person sporting darkish shorts and a darkish shirt chasing individuals round with a protracted knife in his proper hand. One video reveals a person on the prime of an escalator making an attempt to cease the attacker from persevering with his rampage, whereas others present bloodied victims mendacity on a elegant tile flooring – in some circumstances surrounded by consumers and police. Officers are caring for individuals's wounds.
Bondi Junction is a busy industrial district within the jap suburbs of Sydney, an prosperous space close to the waterfront, and the mall is a well-liked vacation spot for households and youngsters. On the time of a significant renovation in 2005, Westfield Bondi Junction was described as one of many largest purchasing facilities within the southern hemisphere.
damien cave Contributed to the reporting.