7 people have reportedly been killed and several injured during a terrorist gun rampage near a synagogue in Vienna.
There is believed to be more than one attacker, with one said to have blown himself up with a suicide belt, Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung reports.
Several people have been injured in the explosion, cops have confirmed.
Terrified crowds have been lockdown in restaurants by cops until all of the attackers are caught.
Many are believed to be sitting on the floor in the dark while they wait for the area to be cleared.
Officers are said to be stopping and searching all vehicles to see if attackers have tried to flee the city.
One of the alleged terrorists has been arrested, according to the Austrian authorities.
However, it is believed that others could now be on the run.
It is not clear if the Stadttempel synagogue, the largest in Vienna, was attacked as it was closed at the time.
One witness said a gunman attacked “wildly” using an automatic weapon.
They told Austrian newspaper ORF: “Then you noticed that these were shots.
“Then you saw a person running down the Seitenstetten, [who shot] wildly with an automatic weapon.
He then turned down, at the ‘Roter Engel’ from there in the direction of Schwedenplatz.
“He continued to shoot wildly there. Then the police came and fired. ”
Austrian Police confirmed on Twitter that there are “persons injured” and a “large” operation was underway.
Polizei Wien posted: “There is a larger police operation going on in the 1st district of Vienna (Inner City area). Officers are on site and check the Situation. We keep you posted on the matter.
“Shots fired in the Inner City district – there are persons injured – KEEP AWAY from all public places or public Transport”.
This is a developing story. Please check for updates.
(Source: The Sun).
