Gun attack in Austria kills two, injures several others

Gunmen opened fire at multiple locations across central Vienna on Tuesday, killing at least two people and wounding several more in what Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz describes as a “repulsive terror attack”. A manhunt is being carried out to find the perpetrators.

“It is the hardest day for Austria in many years. We are dealing with a terror attack the severity of which, thank God, we have not experienced in Austria in many years,” Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said.

“We have brought several special forces units together that are now searching for the presumed terrorists. I am therefore not limiting it to an area of Vienna, because these are mobile perpetrators,” Nehammer added.

The attacks, which were spread out in six locations including a synagogue were carried out with several suspects carrying rifles at around 8 pm. The shooting began just hours before Austria was to re-impose a coronavirus lockdown, an AFP report read. People were out in bars and restaurants enjoying a final night of relative freedom.

Leaders around the world have condemned the attack. France’s President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Twitter, “We French share the shock and grief of the Austrian people struck this evening by an attack in the heart of their capital, Vienna. After France, a friendly country is attacked. This is our Europe. Our enemies must know who they are dealing with. We will not give up.”

Robert O’Brien, President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, said Americans were praying for the people of Vienna. “There is no justification for hatred and violence like this. We stand with Austria, France, and all of Europe in the fight against terrorism,” O’Brien said.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden condemned what he called a “horrific terrorist attack,” adding, “We must all stand united against hate and violence.”

EU Council chief Charles Michel tweeted that the bloc "strongly condemns this cowardly act”. Czech police tweeted that they were conducting checks on the border with Austria.

Chancellor Kurz said that the army would take over the security of major buildings in Vienna. Nehammer, in the meantime, urged Vienna residents to remain indoors and keep away from all public places or public transport.  

The initial shots had been fired near the Stadttempel synagogue, but it isn’t clear whether the synagogue, which was closed at the time had been a target.