Stabbing Attack at Shopping Center in Sydney: 6 Dead
Six people have died in a tragic stabbing at a shopping center in Bondi, Sydney. The attacker was neutralized by police. Details of the incident and eyewitness accounts are in our news.
Sydney, Australia – A brutal stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction Shopping Center in the Bondi area that left six people dead occurred on Saturday afternoon local time. Police responded quickly and shot and neutralized the attacker. Hundreds of people fled the scene in panic as the incident took place in one of Sydney’s busiest shopping destinations.
According to a police statement, the attack began at around 16.00 hours, targeting shoppers. The attacker attacked random people with a knife and was then stopped by a police officer. The attack left six people dead, five women and one man, and eight people injured, including a baby.
Victims and injured
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said at a press conference that five of the dead were women, one was a man and eight people, including a nine-month-old baby, were hospitalized. Webb stated that the attack was not linked to terrorism and the motivation for the incident has not yet been determined.
Eyewitnesses Describe
Ayush Singh, who was at the scene, described the moment of the attack as follows: “A man with a knife was running and attacking people. He was shot by police officers just as the cafe where I work was passing by. Everyone was terrified and people were screaming in fear.” Singh added that he helped elderly women to hide in a safe place in the café.
Another eyewitness described the moment the attacker was shot as follows: “The man was shouting angrily and seemed to be still moving when the police shot him. The police officer immediately went to him and tried to give him CPR, but the man was armed with a very large knife and seemed intent on killing him.”
Prime Minister’s Statement
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at a press conference, “This is a terrible act of violence and a tragedy in which innocent people have lost their lives. Like all Australians, my first thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
What Happened Afterward?
Police said the investigation is ongoing and the mall’s security situation will be reviewed. The mall was also temporarily closed following the incident and will remain closed through Sunday.
This incident was recorded as a rare act of violence in Australia’s relatively safe society. As Sydney residents and the entire country mourn this tragic event, authorities are trying to learn more about the incident.
Community Reaction
The public reaction was both shock and anger. Posts on social media and various news platforms showed crowds fleeing the shopping center, police vehicles and emergency services flocking to the area. Sydneysiders are demanding tighter security measures to prevent such violent incidents from happening again.
