4 dead in Vienna shooting; Chinese among victims

VIENNA — Austria's top security official says that four people have died — including one assailant — after a shooting in the heart of Vienna late Monday.

Interior Minister Karl Nehammer told reporters Tuesday that two men and a woman have died from their injuries. A suspected attacker, who was carrying an assault rifle and a fake suicide vest, was also shot and killed by police.

Nehammer said that initial investigations indicate that the suspect who was killed had sympathized with the Islamic State group.

"The attacker sympathized with the militant terrorist group IS," Nehammer told reporters. He declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.

The Chinese Embassy in Austria said Tuesday that a Chinese Austrian was killed and a Chinese citizen injured in the terrorist attack. 

The Chinese Austrian, owner of a restaurant in downtown Vienna, was badly injured in the attack on Monday evening and died on Tuesday morning, said the Chinese embassy.

The wounded Chinese citizen, who works at the same restaurant, is in stable condition, it added.

Austrian authorities were still trying to determine whether further attackers may be on the run. People in Vienna have been urged to stay at home Tuesday.

Fifteen people were injured in the attack in the center of the capital, among them a police officer.

The shooting began shortly after 8 pm (1900 GMT) Monday near Vienna's main synagogue as many people were enjoying a last night of open restaurants and bars before the start of a coronavirus lockdown.

"We are victims of a despicable terror attack in the federal capital that is still ongoing," Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said.

The attack drew swift condemnation and assurances of support from leaders around Europe.

Agencies, Xinhua