Sydney, 13 April 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Five people have been killed in an attack at a shopping centre in the Australian city of Sydney.

The suspected perpetrator was shot and died, Anthony Cooke, the deputy chief of the New South Wales Police, told a press conference on Saturday.

There was only one suspected attacker. There was no further danger. The police did not initially provide any information on the identity of the suspected perpetrator or a possible motive for what appeared to be stabbing spree.

Regarding the course of events, the spokesman said that the suspect had attacked about nine people. A policewoman was able to confront him and a firearm was then used.

Emergency services were called to the busy Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre in Sydney's east at around 3:40 pm (0540 GMT) on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses reported that they had hidden themselves in shops. Several posts on social media showed crowds of people outside the shopping centre fearing for their loved ones.

The Australian news agency AAP reported that dozens of rescue workers were treating injured people at the scene. Several were taken to hospital with stab wounds, including a nine-month-old baby.

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