Gunman at large after Vienna shooting rampage leaves four dead

A huge manhunt was under way Tuesday after gunmen opened fire at multiple locations across central Vienna, killing at least four people in what Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described as a “repulsive terror attack”.

One of the suspected killers, identified as an Islamic State group sympathiser, was shot dead by police who said they were searching for at least one more assailant still at large.

The shooting rampage, in six locations including near a synagogue and the world famous opera house in the heart of Vienna on Monday evening, was carried out by “several suspects armed with rifles”, police said.

Helicopters were flying overhead as police sealed off the city in the hunt for other attackers, while neighbouring countries stepped up border checks.

The attacks, in six locations including near a synagogue, were carried out by “several suspects armed with rifles”, police said

The shooting erupted just hours before Austria was to re-impose a coronavirus lockdown, with people out in bars and restaurants enjoying a final night out.

It follows a spate of Islamist attacks in France and triggered an outpouring of solidarity from Western leaders including US President Donald Trump.

‘Heavily armed’ gunman

Two men and two woman were killed in the attack, an interior ministry spokesman said, while about 15 more have been injured, seven seriously. Police also said an officer had been hurt.

The first shots were heard at around 8 pm (1900 GMT) in the city’s centrally located first district.

“It sounded like firecrackers, then we realised it was shots,” said one witness quoted by public broadcaster ORF.

A gunman “shot wildly with an automatic weapon” before police arrived and opened fire, the witness added.

Another spoke of at least 50 shots being fired.