Updated: Five dead, dozens injured in Sydney mall stabbing rampage

A bustling day at Sydney’s Bondi Junction took a horrifying turn as a mass stabbing unfolded within the crowded Westfield mall premises.

The incident occurred around 4 pm on Saturday afternoon local time has now left five people dead and many others wounded, including a baby in a critical condition, shocking eyewitnesses and sending families and shoppers scrambling for safety.

According to eye witness accounts in news.com.au, chaos erupted as a man indiscriminately attacked shoppers, including a woman and her nine-month-old baby. The assailant met his end when law enforcement intervened, fatally shooting him as panicked civilians fled and tactical police swarmed the scene.

Witnesses described scenes of horror and bravery, with accounts emerging of heroic bystanders confronting the attacker. Videos captured moments of terror, showing victims strewn across the mall as police worked frantically to save lives amidst the splattered blood.

Accounts from those present described how people fought to subdue the assailant, using whatever makeshift weapons they could find. From throwing tables and chairs to confronting the attacker head-on with a bollard, ordinary citizens showed extraordinary courage in the face of danger.

Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing experiences of seeking refuge in stores and medical centres, while loved ones anxiously awaited news outside. The incident prompted a swift response from authorities, with emergency services urging the public to avoid the area as investigations continued.

Questions loom about the motive behind the attack. While authorities have stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest terrorism, investigations remain ongoing, with the possibility of joint counterterrorism efforts on the horizon.

More to follow.

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