The Australian security forces have confirmed that in the multiple stabbing in the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center, in the east of the city of Sydney, which occurred this Saturday, at least six people were murdered, to which the attacker should be added. , killed by the police, and seven victims were seriously injured, including a nine-month-old baby. The emergency services have transferred them to the nearest hospitals.
The shopping center was especially busy as it was a summer Saturday in Australia.
Anthony Cooke, assistant commissioner of the New South Wales State Police, informed the media that the attack had been carried out by a single individual, although previous reports indicated that officers were looking for a second attacker.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the assailant entered the popular Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center at 3:10 p.m. local time (5:10 GMT), left shortly after and returned about ten minutes later when he was confronted by “around nine people.” .
A police inspector confronted the aggressor, who turned towards her with a knife in his hand, so the agent “shot with her firearm” at him, according to Cooke’s story.
According to a police statement, the agent performed resuscitation maneuvers on the suspect while health personnel arrived, but they were unable to revive him.
The Police of the Australian state of New South Wales see no indication that today’s indiscriminate stabbing was a terrorist act, since the attacker, killed by a female officer, did not appear to act for ideological or religious reasons.
Karen Webb, commissioner of the New South Wales Police, indicated in a press conference that investigators have no indication that the murderer acted motivated by “an idea” so “it is not a terrorist incident.”
“The investigation – he added – will be underway for many days, but there are elements that at this moment do not indicate that,” he added regarding the possibility that it was a terrorist act.
Webb explained that the attacker, a man in his 40s whose identification has not yet been completed, stabbed several people in the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center and caused the immediate death of four women and a man.
Another woman who was stabbed died hours later in hospital, while eight other people are admitted to hospitals in the city, including a nine-month-old baby who has undergone emergency surgery. Local media report that the mother of the injured baby is among the fatalities.
“We believe this person acted alone and there are no threats against the community at this time,” Webb added, noting that there is nothing to suggest the killer planned to target a specific person.
The speed with which the alarm has been declared and the evacuation decreed, through visual and audible warnings, has allowed citizens to get to safety, either by leaving the building or seeking refuge in stores.
A witness to the attack, Antonio García, a worker at the Zara store located in the Bondie shopping center, explained on RAC1 his reaction when he heard the police alarm and heard the shots. “Clients and workers are fine.” The man from Madrid, present at the time of the event, has detailed how he and his colleagues have reacted, “We hid in a habitation that we have in the fitting rooms.” It was 15 minutes “waiting for what would happen.” In the end, he and his companions were able to be evacuated by the police and were at home when he gave the interview.
Waverley Council, the Sydney district where the incident occurred, said on the social network
Various witnesses have captured images of the alleged attacker, armed with a large knife, without his identity having been confirmed by the police. A witness captured with his cell phone how a brave citizen confronts the attacker.
The hundreds of people affected and the crudeness of the images broadcast through the media while the incident was unfolding have had a great impact, and have shocked Australians.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised the bravery and fortitude of Australian citizens, as well as security and emergency teams.
Albanese added: “For all of us tonight, the horrific scenes at Bondi Junction are beyond words and comprehension,” he said.
