Terrorist attacks in Vienna: three dead, one of attackers – ISIS supporter

The Austrian capital has increased security measures and asked citizens to stay at home if possible. Photo: AP / Ronald Zak / ria.ru

On November 2, 2020, a series of terrorist attacks took place in Vienna, as a result of which three people were killed and about 15 were injured. According to Wien 24, the police managed to eliminate one of the attackers, who turned out to be a supporter of the Islamic State terrorist organization.

The attacks took place late in the evening at six locations in the Austrian capital. The armed attackers opened fire at random passers-by; there is a policeman among the wounded.

“As of now, three civilians have died as a result of the shooting. The fourth victim is the perpetrator himself,” the Vienna police spokesman told TASS on Tuesday.

The police have already identified the killed shooter. His details have not yet been disclosed, but Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said that the neutralized criminal was a sympathizer of the Islamist terrorist organization ISIS. The offender had an automatic rifle, a pistol, a machete and a dummy of explosives on his belt.

According to the analytical portal SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors the activities of extremists on the Web, jihadists claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Vienna. They called the attack on passers-by "Austria's payment" for participating in the US-led coalition against the Islamic State.

The authorities do not exclude an anti-Semitic motive for the crime, since the first attack took place at the synagogue building on Seitenstettengasse in the centre of Vienna.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called the incident a "terrible terrorist attack", stressing that Austria will not allow itself to be intimidated by terrorism and will resolutely fight it.

Security measures have been tightened in the Austrian capital. The authorities speculate that the killed terrorist may have had several accomplices who are now on the run and are asking residents to stay at home if possible.

As reported, on the morning of November 29, an unknown person with a knife attacked people near the Catholic Basilica of Notre Dame in Nice, beheading one woman and injuring several others. On the same day, in Avignon, France, police officers shot and killed a man who, shouting "Allahu Akbar", threatened law enforcement officers with a gun.

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