Seven dead, including attacker, in wake of mass stabbing incident in Sydney

An attacker who fatally knifed six people in a Sydney mall was shot dead by police in the beachside suburb of Bondi on Saturday, police said, as hundreds fled the scene.

Reuters later reported that a man was shot at the Australian mall during the incident.

"She discharged a firearm, and that person is now deceased. I am advised that there are five victims who are now deceased as a result of the actions of this offender," the New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke told a press conference. Police have no indication of the man's motive, Cooke said.

Emergency services were called to the scene just before 4 p.m. (0600 GMT) following the reports, New South Wales Police said in a statement.

"People are urged to avoid the area," the statement said. "Inquiries are continuing in relation to the incident, and there are no further details."

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the shopping center after the incident, news site news.com.au reported.

Emergency services were called to the mall, about three kilometers (1.9 miles) from Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach and popular with children and families, just before 4 p.m. (0600 GMT) after the stabbing reports, police said.

People reportedly trapped inside

State broadcaster ABC reported some people remained trapped inside.

Two witnesses told Reuters they heard shots fired.

“Even 20 minutes after people were rushed out of the mall, I saw SWAT teams of people sweeping the surrounding streets,” one of the witnesses said.

One witness said they saw a woman lying on the ground and took shelter in a jewelry store.

Several posts on social media showed crowds fleeing the mall and police cars and emergency services rushing to the area.

One video show a man confronting the attacker with a bollard from the top of an escalator. Others showed people trying to move the injured to safety and help others hide in shops.

"I just saw the footage of the guy with the bollard, I reckon he’s the real hero here,” Bondi Rescue lifeguard Andy Reid, who was also shopping at the mall, told the Sydney Morning Herald. Reid also attended to a woman who was bleeding on the fourth floor.

Britain's Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, acknowledged the heroic emergency responders in a post on the social media platform X.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected, including the loved ones of those lost and the heroic emergency responders who risked their own lives to save others," they said in the post.

New South Wales state police said a police operation was underway but did not provide further details.

Several posts on social media showed crowds fleeing the mall and police cars and emergency services rushing to the area.

"Our hearts go out to those injured and we offer our thanks to those caring for them as well as our brave police and first responders," Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese posted on social media site X.