Friday, May 17

Sydney: At Least 6 Killed In Mall Stabbings, Attacker Shot Dead

Edited by Aishwarya Krishnan
Sydney: At least 6 Killed In Mall Stabbings, Attacker Shot Dead (image/sydney.com)

Reports of multiple cases of suspected stabbing in Sydney’s Westfield Bondi Junction have surfaced. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from the shopping center. According to reports, at least six people have been killed, and the attacker has been shot down.

Around eight people, including a nine-month-old baby, are among the injureView postd who have been hospitalised, as per police reports. Five of the six victims killed were women, stated the Times of India.

Packed with a huge crowd shopping for the weekend, the incident occurred in the afternoon at the mall complex. Reportedly, the mall has been locked down. Eyewitnesses claimed that several people ran into the supermarket for safety and remained there for an hour.

The New South Wales (NSW) police have urged the public to avoid the area for their safety. According to Reuters, following the reports of stabbings, emergency services were called to the mall before 4 p.m. (6 a.m. GMT).

The identity and the motive of the attacker remains unclear at the moment. During a press briefing, Assistant Police Commissioner Anthony Cooke stated that the man began indiscriminately chasing and stabbing the people in the mall. He targeted over nine people before he encountered a police inspector who fatally shot him, added Cooke.

According to the New South Wales ambulance, the lone assailant had been shot dead by the police.

As per NCA NewsWire, the attacker was armed with a large knife and had stabbed five people before the police authorities shot him down.

The status and condition of the injured victims remain uncertain. The police authorities have stated that a police operation is underway, and no further details can be revealed as of now.

In an X (formerly known as Twitter) post, Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, said, “I have been briefed by the AFP on the devastating events at Bondi Junction. Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported, and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones.”

Mr. Albanese added, “Our hearts go out to those injured and we offer our thanks to those caring for them as well as our brave police and first responders.”

Meanwhile, social media has been flooded with horrifying videos of the man chasing random shoppers and numerous people inside the mall fleeing the area in panic. Police cars and emergency services can also be seen arriving at the scene.