Vienna terrorist attack: several dead after shooting near synagogue in Austria – live updates
Austria #Austria
8.16pm EST 20:16
Second civilian has died
The Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, has announced that a second civilian has died in the attacks tonight, Reuters reports.
8.01pm EST 20:01
The head of the United Nations, António Guterres, has voiced expressed the UN’s “solidarity with the people & government of Austria.”
In a statement posted online his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, wrote:
The Secretary-General is following with utmost concern the still evolving situation in Vienna’s city centre where violent attacks in several places have been reported today, with at least one bystander killed and several others wounded, including members of the security forces. He extends his deep condolences to the family of the victim and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.
The Secretary-General strongly condemns these attacks and reaffirms the solidarity of the United Nations with the people and the Government of Austria.
7.55pm EST 19:55
The Vienna police have again urged people to stay at home, confirming that the incident is “still active” in a post retweeted from two hours ago.
7.51pm EST 19:51
The Guardian understands that “several” people have died in the attacks tonight – this is what was said in the police press conference a short while ago by the interior minister, Karl Nehammer.
Authorities have not yet confirmed an exact number, but they have confirmed that among the casualties are one civilian and one attacker.
A police officer stands guard in front of the Interior Ministry as a news conference takes place after exchanges of gunfire in Vienna. Photograph: Lisi Niesner/Reuters
Updated at 7.58pm EST
7.43pm EST 19:43
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has sent his condolences, calling the attack “horrific and heartbreaking.”
“We condemn in the strongest terms possible this act of terrorism,” he wrote on Twitter.
7.34pm EST 19:34
The City of Vienna has tweeted confirming that children do not need to attend school tomorrow, after it was announced in the police press conference a short while ago.
“Due to the current situation, there will be no compulsory education in Vienna tomorrow. Children can therefore stay at home, excused. For all those for whom this is not possible, the schools are of course open. Stay safe and above all healthy!” the Tweet reads.
Updated at 7.38pm EST
7.31pm EST 19:31
Explosive belt worn by attacker being defused
The explosive belt we mentioned earlier – reported to have been worn by an attacker who has since been shot – is currently being defused by the demining service, the Austrian broadcaster ORF reports:
According to the information provided by the crisis team to the ORF, the suspected perpetrator shot was wearing an explosives belt. This is currently being defused by the demining service. He is also said to have carried a lot of ammunition with him.
Updated at 8.06pm EST
7.27pm EST 19:27
At that press conference, Austria’s interior minister, Karl Nehammer, called Monday the “hardest day for Austria several years,” the BBC reports.
Updated at 7.39pm EST
7.25pm EST 19:25
Initial reports had suggested that the nearby Stadttempel synagogue could have been the target of the attack.
But Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community Vienna, said the synagogue on Seitenstettengasse and the office building at the same address were already closed at the time of the attack, and it was “unclear” if it was one of the targets of the attack.
Deutsch told the Kurier newspaper that no members of Vienna’s Jewish community were among those injured in the attack.
Citing an interview with a rabbi living directly above the synagogue, Kurier reported an attacker had taken random shots at people sitting outside cafes and bars on Judengasse and Seitenstettengasse in central Vienna. “He did not aim at the Stadttempel [synagogue],” the witness said.
The synagogue was the target of a terror attack almost four decades ago. On 29 August 1981, two members of the Palestinian group Fatah – The Revolutionary Council, also known as ANO – tried to storm the synagogue building but were stopped by security forces. Two people were killed and 21 others injured in the attack:
Updated at 7.39pm EST
7.22pm EST 19:22
There will be another press conference at 6am tomorrow, the police have said. That press conference has now ended.
7.16pm EST 19:16
Vienna Police Press conference: at least one attacker still on the run
Austrian interior minister Karl Nehammer has said that “several” people have died in the attack.
He has also said:
• At least one attacker still on the run• Children not required to go to school on Tuesday• He has repeated the appeal to the public to avoid central Vienna
Austria’s Interior Minister Karl Nehammer speaks during a news conference at the Interior Ministry after exchanges of gunfire in Vienna. Photograph: Lisi Niesner/Reuters
Updated at 7.26pm EST
7.10pm EST 19:10
That press conference has started. We will bring you updates in English shortly.
You can watch it live here.
7.08pm EST 19:08
Attack definitely a terror attack, says Austrian Chancellor
Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Monday night that the attack in the heart of Vienna was “definitely” a terror attack that had been “very professionally” planned.
Citing government sources, broadcaster ORF reported that the gunman shot by police outside St Rupert’s Church was carrying an explosive belt and a bag filled with a large amount of ammunition.
Several special forces units have been brought together to search for “mobile perpetrators” who are still believed to be at large.
Oskar Deutsch, the president of the Jewish Community Vienna said on Twitter that all synagogues, Jewish schools, kosher restaurants and supermarkets would remain closed on Tuesday.
Austrian police men guard people at The Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) while they leave a subway station. Photograph: Christian Bruna/EPA
Updated at 7.11pm EST
7.06pm EST 19:06
We will be bringing you that police conference live as it happens.