Authorities evacuated hundreds of visitors and workers from a shopping mall in Sydney after a suspected stabbing spree on Saturday, an Australian news site reported.
According to Australia’s ABC News, New South Wales state police said emergency services were called to Westfield Bondi Junction just before 4pm following reports of multiple stabbings.
Two witnesses told Reuters they heard shots fired. One of them said they saw a woman lying on the ground before taking shelter in a jewellery store.
“A critical incident has commenced following the shooting of male at Bondi Junction,” police said in a statement.
It said an operation was underway with shoppers being evacuated.
Several posts on social media showed crowds fleeing the mall and police cars and emergency services rushing to the area.
A spokesperson for NSW Ambulance said there were two alleged offenders. It said one has been shot by police and they were hunting the other.
Aerial footage from outside the complex shows a large number of emergency vehicles and personnel conducting a search on the roof where the car park is located.
More to follow…
