SAN FRANCISCO, July 22, (THEWILL) – Munich’s main train station has been evacuated and metro and bus transport in the city suspended on police orders following the killing of at least nine persons by gunmen, who attacked a shopping centre in the city.
Three gunmen were involved in the shooting, according to a police statement, citing witnesses.
“We suspect terrorism,” a Munich police spokesman said.
The mall near the southern German city’s Olympic stadium was surrounded by police after shots were fired and 10 wounded.
The shooting spree began before 1600 GMT at a McDonald’s restaurant and continued on a nearby street before the gunmen moved into the OEZ shopping centre, a police spokeswoman said.
“There is a major police operation under way in the shopping centre,” Munich police said on Twitter, urging people to avoid the area.
Emergency vehicles were seen in the streets outside, as shoppers rushed away from the mall, some carrying children in their arms.
“Attention — avoid the neighbourhood around the OEZ. Stay in your homes. Leave the street,” the Munich police tweet said.
Europe has been on alert for terrorism in the wake of a string of attacks including bombings in neighbouring France and Belgium.
The shooting comes just days after a teenage asylum seeker went on a rampage with an axe and a knife on a regional train near Wuerzburg, also in Bavaria on Monday, injuring five people, two of them critically.
Interior Minister, Thomas de Maiziere, said the teenager was believed to be a “lone wolf” attacker who appeared to have been “inspired” by the Islamic State group but was not a member of the jihadist network.
It also follows a truck attack in the French Riviera city of Nice after Bastille Day fireworks last week that left 84 people dead.
Story by David Oputah
