A horrific knife attack in Sydney's bustling Westfield Bondi Junction mall has left 5 people dead and several others severely wounded, according to local media reports. Gunshots were also heard. Police are conducting a rescue operation. A report by Australian news website news.com.au indicated eyewitnesses saw a man start stabbing shoppers indiscriminately, including a woman and her child, before being shot by the police.
Witnesses told news.com.au that police struggled to save victims inside various shops as blood was spilled across the crowded mall’s floor. In the aftermath of the stabbing incident, hundreds were evacuated from the shopping center. New South Wales Police stated, 'Emergency services were called to Westfield Bondi Junction just before 4 pm Saturday. People are urged to avoid the area. Inquiries are ongoing.'
One girl's text message to her parents, reported by local media, mentioned hearing gunshots and hiding inside a showroom to save her life. Other shopkeepers locked their doors and pulled down shutters to protect people inside the mall. Police reported several other injured individuals are in critical condition. Social media posts showed people frantically fleeing the mall and police and emergency services rushing to the scene.
According to news.com.au, 'Johnny Santos and Kevin Tjo were shopping at Woolworths when someone came down the escalator shouting about a man stabbing people. They then saw a man wearing a green shirt stumbling down the escalator. The attacker seemed to be under the influence and staggered before people on the upper floor started throwing bollards at him. The bollards hit the attacker, and he ran back up the escalator.'
