Austria: Two civilian fatalities confirmed following shootings in Vienna November 2 as security operations continue /update 2

Event

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig has reported that two civilians have died following a series of shootings in Vienna on Monday, November 2. A number of civilians are also thought to have been injured in the shootings, some seriously, and one attacker is also believed to have been killed. Security operations are ongoing in Vienna as of the early hours of Tuesday morning, November 3, and Vienna Police are continuing to urge people to stay at home and avoid public transport, confirming that the incident remains active and gunmen remain at large. Public transport is no longer stopping in central Vienna, and roadblocks have been set up around the city center. The army have been deployed to guard key locations around the city as security personnel continue to pursue the gunmen.

Authorities have also announced that there will be no compulsory schooling in Vienna on November 3.

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

Context

Reports indicate that shots were fired in the first district of Vienna (Innere Stadt) in the Seitenstettengasse area at around 20:00 (local time) on November 2. Austria's Federal Ministry of the Interior has called the incident a "terrorist attack" and the shootings were reportedly carried out by several gunmen, and six different locations were targeted in shootings. The attacks occurred on the final night before a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown was due to come into force in the city.

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.