Vienna terrorist attack: several dead after shooting near synagogue in Austria – live updates

The AFP news agency has put together this wrap up of EU’s leader’s reactions to the attacks in Vienna, as they vow to stand by Austria.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron said: “We French share the shock and sorrow of the Austrian people following the attack in Vienna.

“After France, it is a friendly nation that has been attacked. This is our Europe. Our enemies must know who they’re dealing with. We will concede nothing,” he tweeted in both French and German.

Germany

Germany’s foreign ministry vowed not to “give in to hate that is supposed to divide our societies.

“Even if we can’t yet foresee the extent of the terror, our thoughts are with the wounded and the victims in these difficult hours,” the ministry wrote on Twitter, calling the news from neighbouring Austria “horrifying and disturbing”.

Italy

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said there was “no room for hatred and violence in our common European home,” while his foreign minister Luigi Di Maio tweeted that “Europe must react”.

EU

EU Council chief Charles Michel said that “Europe strongly condemns this cowardly act that violates life and our human values. My thoughts are with the victims and the people of Vienna in the wake of tonight’s horrific attack. We stand with Austria”.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted that she was “shocked and saddened”, saying her “thoughts are with the families of the victims and the Austrian people.”

The president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, said he felt “sadness and horror” and the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell called it “a cowardly act of violence and hate.”

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, which neighbours Austria, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said he was “horrified by the attack… and I want to express my solidarity to all people in Austria and my friend Sebastian Kurz”.

Greece

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted that he was “Shocked by the horrific attacks in Vienna” and had offered Kurz Athens’ “full solidarity”.

“Our thoughts are with the people in Vienna and the authorities dealing with the situation. Our hearts, with the victims and their loved ones,” Mitsotakis added

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Photograph: Reuters