On Monday evening, several shooters open fired at seven different locations in central Vienna, leading to the death of at least two, including one attacker. At least 15 civilians have been injured during the incident. Speaking to the Austrian news outlet ORF, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said, “It appears to have been a terror attack.” Moreover, he warned citizens that at least one gunman was still at large and was “heavily armed and dangerous.” The attacker was identified by Nehammer as an “Islamic terrorist” and a “radicalized individual with links to Islamic State.” To help Austrian authorities capture the assailants, the police forces of the neighbouring Czech Republic said that “random checks” were being carried out along the border as a “preventive measure.”
The attacks occurred outside the city’s main synagogue. However, Oskar Deutsch, the head of the Jewish community in Vienna, said it was unclear whether the building was the target of the attacks as it was closed at the time of the incident.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, celebrating the neutralization of one of the attackers said, “We will not never allow ourselves to be intimidated by terrorism and will fight these attacks by all means.” He also condemned the “difficult hours” for the republic and vowed to “act decisively against the culprits” of what he believed to be a “repulsive terror attack.” While other countries in Europe have been the victim of several such attacks in the past, this is Austria’s first such incident. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the number of attackers.
The international community has unanimously come out condemning the attacks. This included several European leaders, such as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, European Council President Charles Michel and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission’s President, said, “I am shocked and saddened by the brutal attack that took place in Vienna. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and the Austrian people. Europe stands in full solidarity with Austria. We are stronger than hatred and terror.” Several international leaders, too, condemned the attack. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted and expressed his shock and dismay over the attacks. He said “India stands with Austria during this tragic time. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.” Further, United Nations General Antonio Guterres said, “The Secretary-General is following with utmost concern the still evolving satiation in Vienna’s city centre, where violent attacks in several places have been reported today … the Secretary-General strongly condemns these attacks and reaffirms the solidarity of the United Nations with the people and the government of Austria.”
Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack and said that the French community “share the shock and grief of the Austrian people hit by an attack tonight.” He added, “After France, this is a friendly country that has been attacked. This is our Europe … We will not give in.” Recently, his country has been at the receiving end of several such acts of violence. In fact, just last week, a man armed with a knife killed three people inside a church in Nice, France prompting the government to raise its security alert status to the highest level and more than doubling the number of soldiers deployed in the country to protect schools and places of worship.
Vienna Terror Attack: At Least 2 Killed and 15 Injured
Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer identified the attacker as an “Islamic terrorist” and a “radicalised individual with links to Islamic State.”
November 3, 2020
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL