The Austrian capital, Vienna, remains under high alert after a terrorist attack in which a gunman opened fire in six different locations, killing three people, including a police officer, and wounding a dozen other people.
The shootings took place near Vienna’s central synagogue. The attack happened just hours before Austria imposed new national restrictions to control the rising cases of coronavirus.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called it a “repulsive terror attack”. While Vienna police shot dead one of the gunmen, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer suspects there is at least one attacker who is still on the run.
As per the information shared by the Police department, the incident began around 20:00 (19:00 GMT) on Monday when a heavily armed man opened fire on people outside cafes and restaurants.
Police along with members of special forces reached the scene quickly. One policeman also suffered a gunshot. Sirens and helicopters could be heard in the city center as emergency services responded to the attack.
Kurz from his Twitter handle tweeted, “It is definitely a terror attack…. Our police will act decisively against the perpetrators of this repulsive terror attack,” adding that “we will never be intimidated by terrorism and we will fight this attack with all means”
French president Emmanuel Macron has condemned the attack and assured Austria that France stood besides them in their sorrow.
“We French share the shock and sorrow of the Austrian people. After France, it’s a friendly nation that has been attacked,” Macron tweeted from his handle.
Recently, France suffered a spate of terrorist attacks leading Macron to use strong words against “Islamist terror.” French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the attack and assured Austria that France stood beside them in their sorrow.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences over the terror attacks and said he was “shocked and saddened” by the dastardly attack.
“Deeply shocked and saddened by the dastardly terror attacks in Vienna. India stands with Austria in this tragic time. My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” PM Modi said in a tweet on Tuesday.