Bondi stabbings: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemns 'horrific act of violence'

The Prime Minister said the "devastating" scenes at Bondi Junction were "beyond words"

ANTHONY ALBANESE

Six people were killed in a mass stabbing at the Sydney shopping centre with the stabber shot dead by police. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned Saturday's mass stabbing as a "horrific act of violence".

The incident took place at the Westfield Bondi Junction Shopping Centre in Sydney's east.

Six people were killed and a number critically wounded, including a nine-month-old baby, when a man attacked shoppers with a knife before he was shot and killed by police.

Speaking in Canberra alongside Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Reece Kershaw Saturday evening, Albanese said the "devastating scenes" were "beyond words or understanding".
"Australians will be shocked to see them," he said, adding that the attack was "indiscriminate".

Albanese hailed the heroic actions of police, first responders and the "everyday people" who stepped into the crisis to help. He also praised the doctors and nurses who are taking care of the wounded.

Kershaw said the AFP were assisting the NSW Police in their investigations into the "mass casualty event", including digital forensics.
"It is too early to establish a motive and it would be unhelpful to speculate," he said.

Kershaw also strongly expressed that it was "too early" to say whether the attack was an act of terrorism.

"It would appear that this person acted alone," Albanese said. "We understand that the Australian public will be very shocked by this event."

Both men expressed condolences to the victims and their loved ones.

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Published 13 April 2024 8:00pm
Updated 13 April 2024 9:26pm
Source: SBS News


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