Austria: Several casualties in Vienna as security operations ongoing following shootings November 2 /update 1

Event

Several people, including a police officer, have been injured in a series of shootings in Vienna on Monday evening, November 2, and reports indicate that security operations are ongoing in and around the first district of Vienna (Innere Stadt) and Seitenstettengasse area. Austria's Federal Ministry of the Interior has called the incident a "terrorist attack" and stated that there are "several injured, probably also dead"; however, casualty details are yet to be confirmed. The shootings have reportedly been carried out by several gunmen, one of whom has allegedly died and others who are thought to be still at large. Police are advising people to avoid all public spaces and not to take public transport; public transport is no longer stopping in central Vienna. Roadblocks have been set up around the city center. 

A heightened security presence and associated disruptions to transportation are likely in the area of the incident while police carry out operations.   

Advice

Those in the Vienna area are advised to avoid the area of the incident, monitor the situation, and heed all instructions issued by local authorities.