Sydney Mall Attack: At least five people and a suspect were killed in a series of knife incidents at a shopping mall in Sydney, Australia on Saturday, according to police. Many people including a small child were injured in this incident. Crowds were seen fleeing the mall after reports of multiple stabbings and a large police response due to possible shootings there. Assistant Police Commissioner Anthony Cook told reporters that a lone man began stabbing people in the mall, attacking nine people before he was shot dead by a police inspector. Hundreds of people were evacuated from the shopping center after the incident and police advised people not to go there.
However, police said a terrorism aspect to the attack had not yet been ruled out. Authorities have evacuated shoppers from the shopping complex. In several videos going viral on social media, ambulances and police vehicles are seen around the shopping centre. Paramedics could also be seen treating patients at the scene. Multiple posts on social media showed crowds running from the mall and police vehicles and emergency services rushing to the area. Police have confirmed the death of five people and the suspect. Cook said the suspect acted alone and “there was no continuing threat.” He said authorities did not yet know who the culprit was, and there was no indication of a motivation.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Sadly, there are many casualties reported and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones,” he wrote. According to the Guardian, passersby on the streets of Bondi Junction reported that a mother and child were among the stabbing victims. One man said he held the child as he and others tried to cauterize the wound while the mother suffered more bleeding.
