Four people were killed, two men and two women, in a terrorist attack and several were wounded around the Seitenstettengasse synagogue.
The area where the shooting took place is packed with bars and Vienna’s main temple, the Seitenstettengasse synagogue, but it was not clear if they had any connection to the violence. The president of Austria’s Jewish association said on Twitter that the shooting had occurred “in the immediate vicinity” of the temple, but that it was closed at the time.
The Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung has reported an attack on a synagogue and shootings in central Vienna, with police confirming a large deployment but without giving a reason. According to police, gunshots have been heard at the centre of Vienna.
Austria’s interior ministry has reportedly said one person has been killed.
“At the moment we assume there are several perpetrators, unfortunately, there are also several injured, probably also dead,” said Karl Nehammer, Austria’s interior minister.
He called the shooting a terrorist attack.
Sputnic reports that up to 7 terrorists are on the run and may be on the streets of Vienna.
The suspect is reportedly on the run with Viennese police launching a major manhunt according to some local outlets.
Others have reported that the alleged gunman has blown himself up after detonating a suicide vest, but that other perpetrators remain at large.
#BREAKING: Austrian police responding to shooting incident near synagogue in capital of Vienna – Kronen Zeitung
— I.E.N. (@BreakingIEN) November 2, 2020
Breaking: Eyewitnesses say that at least 50 shots were fired during attack in Central Vienna. There is a massive ambulance presence at the scene. pic.twitter.com/wBv0g4HKq0
— PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) November 2, 2020
Reports say seven dead, including a police officer, in the center of #Vienna, this is reportedly one of the terrorists
— nonouzi (@Gerrrty) November 2, 2020