kali9 /iStockBY: JUSTIN DOOM AND KIRIT RADIA, ABC NEWS
(NEW YORK) —
At least one person was killed and 10 others, including a police officer, wounded in an “apparent terrorist attack” near a synagogue in central Vienna on Monday, authorities said.
The incident took place around 8 p.m. local time and the first shots were fired in the proximity of the synagogue, a spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior told ABC News. The gunmen then allegedly opened fire in five other places in the downtown area around the city, the spokesman said.
Seven of those injured were listed in critical condition as of Monday evening and were receiving treatment at six area hospitals, Christoph Mierau of the Vienna Health System confirmed to ABC News.
One suspect was shot and killed by police.
Locals are being advised to avoid nearby public places and public transportation by authorities who said initially they were responding to “several suspects armed with rifles” at “six different shooting locations.” The scene was considered “still active” late Monday, police said via Twitter.
The Ministry of the Interior spokesman said the manhunt was still ongoing as of midnight local time.
“We are currently experiencing difficult hours in our republic. I would like to thank all the emergency services who are risking their lives, especially today, for our safety. Our police will take decisive action against the perpetrators of this vile terrorist attack,” Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said via Twitter. “I am glad that our police officers have already been able to neutralize a perpetrator. We will never allow ourselves to be intimidated by terrorism and will fight these attacks resolutely by all means.”
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