The attacker in the Sydney mall incident was shot dead by a senior police woman even as the death toll climbed to six late in the day, police said.
“One last person died at hospital,” a New South Wales police spokesman said.
The knife attack occurred at the sprawling Westfield Bondi Junction mall complex, which was packed with Saturday afternoon shoppers.
The motive was not immediately clear, but “terrorism” could not be ruled out at this stage, the police said.
“You would understand this is quite raw. Inquiries are very new and we are continuing to make attempts to identify the offender in this matter,” said the police.
They also said that the suspected acted alone.
A New South Wales Ambulance spokesperson said eight patients were taken to various hospitals across Sydney, including a young child who was taken to the city’s Children’s Hospital.
“They all have traumatic injuries,” the official said.
Security camera footage broadcast by local media showed a man wearing an Australian rugby league jersey running around the shopping centre with a large knife and injured people lying lifeless on the floor.
Shoppers scrambled to safety, while several people took shelter in shops as they tried to protect themselves and their families.
Some escaped using an emergency exit with other shoppers and staff, which took them to a back street.
As night fell, dozens of police and ambulances were still outside the shopping complex, with stretchers ready to take people to nearby hospitals.
The sound of police sirens and helicopters filled the air.
The mall has been locked down and police have urged people to avoid the area.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed Australians’ sadness and shock at the attack.
“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.
Such attacks are virtually unheard of in Australia, which has relatively low rates of violent crime.
The stabbing took place around 4pm (local time) on Saturday when witnesses say a man stabbing people at random.
Aerial footage captured armed police maneuvering on the rooftop of a Bondi building.
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