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Armed forces in the city center again
Photo: Ronald Zak / dpa
After the terrorist attack in Vienna, the police are still looking for suspects.
"We are still in the fight against the alleged terrorists," said Austria's Interior Minister Karl Nehammer on ORF late Monday evening.
He said there were several heavily armed perpetrators.
The minister again appealed to citizens to avoid public places.
According to a preliminary assessment, an attacker and a passerby were killed in the exchange of fire in downtown Vienna.
In addition, according to the rescue services, 15 people were injured, some seriously.
The police spoke of six crime scenes.
Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has already commented on the incident.
"The security situation is very tense, especially in the federal capital Vienna. The perpetrators have automatic weapons and are very professionally prepared. It is definitely a terrorist attack," he said on ORF.
"The police succeeded in eliminating one perpetrator, but there are still several perpetrators on the run."
On Twitter, Kurz thanked the emergency services who risk their lives.
He also wrote: "We will never allow ourselves to be intimidated by terrorism and will fight these attacks with all possible means."
The Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen strongly condemned the attack in Vienna and assured the victims of his support.
"We are all deeply affected," said the head of state on Twitter.
Thoughts and compassion are with the victims, injured and their families, he tweeted.
The Federal President also wrote: "We will defend our freedom and democracy together and resolutely by all means."
He is in communication with the government.
Top international politicians also express their solidarity with Austria and the victims on Twitter.
"We, the French, share the shock and sorrow" experienced by the Austrians after an attack in Vienna, wrote French President Emmanuel Macron in German.
"This is our Europe. Our enemies need to know who they are dealing with."
You won't give in, so Macron.
EU Council President Charles Michel has condemned the act as a cowardly act against life and human values.
"My thoughts are with the victims and the people in Vienna after the terrible attack tonight," said Michel.
Europe is on the side of Austria.
EU Parliament President David Sassoli and EU Foreign Affairs Representative Josep Borrell made similar statements.
Sassoli commented: "We are following the news of another attack in Europe with sadness and horror".
Borrell spoke of a "cowardly act of violence and hatred".
Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz writes of "terrible news" and Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier said: "The terrorist attack in Vienna shakes us deeply."
The Foreign Office also announced on Twitter that there were "frightening, disturbing reports" from the Austrian capital.
"Even if the extent of the terror is not yet foreseeable: our thoughts are with the injured and victims in these difficult hours."
One should not give way to the hatred that should divide our societies.
Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has also sharply condemned the act.
"There must be no place for hatred and violence in our common European home," wrote Conte on Twitter on Monday evening.
Italy stand by the Austrian people.
The country thinks of the families of the victims and the injured.
Rome's Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio made a similar statement.
"Europe must react," he wrote.
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cop / dpa / Reuters
