'Multiple people' reportedly stabbed at Sydney shopping centre

Eight people including child taken to hospital after Sydney attack: Ambulance service

SYDNEY: A man was shot at a mall in Sydney's beachside suburb of Bondi on Saturday after reports of multiple people stabbed, police said, as media reported hundreds had been evacuated.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there had been "multiple casualties" in a stabbing attack at a Sydney shopping centre on Saturday.

"Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones," he wrote on social media platform X.

Five people were dead in Sydney shopping centre attack, AFP reported quoting police

Eight people including child were taken to hospital after Sydney attack, said ambulance service.

"People are urged to avoid the area," New South Wales Police said in a statement. "Inquiries are continuing in relation to the incident and there are no further details." Emergency services were called to Westfield Bondi Junction just before 4 p.m. (0600 GMT) after the stabbing reports, police said.

A New South Wales Ambulance spokesperson told Reuters that eight people, including a child, had been taken to hospital.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the shopping centre after the incident, news site news.com.au reported.

Trapped inside

State broadcaster ABC reported some people remained trapped inside.

Two witnesses told Reuters they heard shots fired.

Even 20 minutes after people were rushed out of the mall, I saw SWAT teams of people sweeping the surrounding streets" one witness said.

The other said they saw a woman lying on the ground and took shelter in a jewellery store.

An eyewitness told ABC the attacker had been shot by a police officer.

"If she did not shoot him, he would have kept going, he was on the rampage," said the main, who did not give his name. "She went over and was giving him CPR. He had a nice big blade on him. He looked like he was on a killing spree." Several posts on social media showed crowds fleeing the mall and police cars and emergency services rushing to the area.

Earlier report: 

Australian police on Saturday said they had received reports that "multiple people" were stabbed at a busy shopping centre in Sydney.

The incidents occurred at the sprawling Westfield Bondi Junction mall complex, which was packed with Saturday afternoon shoppers.

The mall has been locked down and police have urged people to avoid the area.

New South Wales Ambulance told AFP one man had been shot dead by police. He is believed to be one of the attackers.

The motive was not immediately clear.