NEW DELHI: Amidst a horrifying stabbing spree that killed six people at a bustling shopping center in Sydney, an Indian-origin couple took refuge in a backroom, fortifying themselves with cardboard boxes alongside numerous others.
Shoi Ghoshal, a resident of Sydney, recounted her and her husband Debashis Chakrabarty‘s experience at the Westfield shopping center in Bondi Junction as the violence erupted, PTI reported citing BBC.
Ghoshal, aged 36, described the moment they realized something was amiss while inside a store. “We went into a backroom, a storeroom, and used boxes to barricade ourselves in,” she explained, mentioning there were approximately 20 to 25 individuals seeking shelter.
During their ordeal, Ghoshal recalled the distress of an elderly woman crying for her husband outside. Despite the chaos, the group managed to contact the authorities, who instructed them to remain calm and stay put.
After being evacuated through the mall’s emergency exit, they were met with a scene of police activity. Ghoshal expressed gratitude for their safety and extended condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
Police confirmed the deaths of four women and one man at the scene, with another woman succumbing to her injuries in hospital. Eight individuals, including a nine-month-old infant undergoing surgery, are receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the attack.
Authorities identified the suspect as a 40-year-old man, though formal identification is pending, and motives remain unclear.
The assailant initially entered the shopping center around 3:10 PM local time before leaving briefly and returning to carry out the attacks, according to reports.
Authorities believe the suspect acted alone and assured the public that there is no ongoing threat.
An eyewitness described the police officer shooting the attacker to state broadcaster ABC.
“If she did not shoot him, he would have kept going, he was on the rampage,” said the man, who did not give his name. “She went over and was giving him CPR. He had a nice big blade on him. He looked like he was on a killing spree.”
A senior female officer confronted the suspect and fatally shot him after he lunged at her, earning praise from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a hero.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was no indication yet of the man’s motive. “This was a horrific act of violence, indiscriminately targeting innocent people going about an ordinary Saturday doing their shopping,” he told a press conference.”Tonight the first thoughts of all Australians are with the victims of these terrible acts.”
(With inputs from agencies)
Shoi Ghoshal, a resident of Sydney, recounted her and her husband Debashis Chakrabarty‘s experience at the Westfield shopping center in Bondi Junction as the violence erupted, PTI reported citing BBC.
Ghoshal, aged 36, described the moment they realized something was amiss while inside a store. “We went into a backroom, a storeroom, and used boxes to barricade ourselves in,” she explained, mentioning there were approximately 20 to 25 individuals seeking shelter.
During their ordeal, Ghoshal recalled the distress of an elderly woman crying for her husband outside. Despite the chaos, the group managed to contact the authorities, who instructed them to remain calm and stay put.
After being evacuated through the mall’s emergency exit, they were met with a scene of police activity. Ghoshal expressed gratitude for their safety and extended condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
Police confirmed the deaths of four women and one man at the scene, with another woman succumbing to her injuries in hospital. Eight individuals, including a nine-month-old infant undergoing surgery, are receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the attack.
Authorities identified the suspect as a 40-year-old man, though formal identification is pending, and motives remain unclear.
The assailant initially entered the shopping center around 3:10 PM local time before leaving briefly and returning to carry out the attacks, according to reports.
Authorities believe the suspect acted alone and assured the public that there is no ongoing threat.
An eyewitness described the police officer shooting the attacker to state broadcaster ABC.
“If she did not shoot him, he would have kept going, he was on the rampage,” said the man, who did not give his name. “She went over and was giving him CPR. He had a nice big blade on him. He looked like he was on a killing spree.”
A senior female officer confronted the suspect and fatally shot him after he lunged at her, earning praise from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a hero.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was no indication yet of the man’s motive. “This was a horrific act of violence, indiscriminately targeting innocent people going about an ordinary Saturday doing their shopping,” he told a press conference.”Tonight the first thoughts of all Australians are with the victims of these terrible acts.”
(With inputs from agencies)