Police have urged the public not to circulate photos or videos on social media
Several people have reportedly been shot and injured in a series of gun attacks in the Austrian capital of Vienna.
The situation is still developing, but police in Vienna say they responded to reports of a ‘major incident’ at 20:37pm (19:37pm GMT).
Police say the incidents are unfolding in Vienna’s Innere Stadt district, adding: ‘There were several exchanges of fire. There are several injured people. We are on duty with all possible forces. Please avoid all public places in the city.’
Police have also urged people not to share photos and videos of the attacks on social media.
Nochmal: KEINE Videos und Fotos in sozialen Medien posten, dies gefährdet sowohl Einsatzkräfte als auch Zivilbevölkerung! #0211w
— POLIZEI WIEN (@LPDWien) November 2, 2020
Translated, the tweet reads:
‘Again: DO NOT post videos and photos in social media, this endangers both emergency services and the civilian population!#0211w’
Many people have reportedly been injured, though it is not yet clear how many casualties there are. Police have also not confirmed the motive or circumstances of the attack, though gunfire was reportedly heard around the city’s central synagogue and a nearby restaurant.
Austrian state broadcaster ORF confirmed there is a large police presence near the synagogue in Vienna city centre, close to the River Danube.
Witnesses told ORF they heard several shots fired a little after 20:00pm local time (19:00 GMT).
UPDATE: The Austrian interior ministry describes the unfolding events as an ‘ongoing terror attack’.
UPDATE: Austria's interior minister says the shooting near Vienna's main synagogue is believed to be an ongoing terror attack, urging residents to stay in their homes. pic.twitter.com/pyhskNCIJF
— DW News (@dwnews) November 2, 2020
