Police say no early signs of terrorism in fatal stabbing of six people in Sydney — as it happened (2024)

We're now wrapping up our live coverage of the stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

• Six people are dead after being stabbed at a Sydney shopping centre
• The offender was shot dead by police
• Westfield Bondi Junction will be closed on Sunday as it remains a crime scene

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Suicide Call Back Serviceon 1300 659 467
• Lifelineon 13 11 14
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• Kids Helplineon 1800 551 800
• Beyond Blueon 1300 224 636
• Headspaceon 1800 650 890
• ReachOutatau.reachout.com
• MensLine Australiaon 1300 789 978

We will be back to blog tomorrow but in the meantime, you can stay up to date with the latest coverage here.

Political leaders in Australia and across the ditch have been sharing their condolences on social media.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong reposted Mr Albanese's post on X, which reads: "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".

NZ PM Christopher Luxon has also shared his condolences on X. He says all New Zealanders are thinking of those affected by the events in Bondi.

Luxon says New South Wales Police, first responders and members of the public had shown "exceptional courage."

Reporting by Katie Hamann

Kelly, a shopper from Wollongong, said people were running and screaming.

She told ABC News she took shelter in a gym and she also saw a woman "lying, stabbed".

"I thought she was shot actually. I thought there was a gunman because I just heard gunshots.

And then I … [saw] a man lying and I thought he was shot. And then all the shops shut their doors. We couldn't get in. They wouldn't let us in and so we ran down the fire escape."

"I thought I was going to die. I thought we were going to be shot and killed."

Prince William and Princess Catherine acknowledged the "heroic emergency responders" on X just before.

"We have lost six innocent lives, and tonight there are medical staff working around the clock to try to save the lives of at least eight others," Ms Sharpe said.

A range of ministers sat in on the crisis cabinet which heard "important briefings" from the police, police commissioner and NSW Health, Acting Premier Penny Sharpe said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns was also on the line from Tokyo where he had been on leave.

Salon owner Leanne Devine says she was finishing up for the day when she saw "hundreds and hundreds of people running out of [the] Westfield".

Ms Devine says it was "absolutely horrific."

Watch the full video below.

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The ABC has asked the home affairs minister's office and the foreign affairs minister's office for comment on the stabbings.

They haven't been able to provide any further details, however, Clare O'Neil has posted to X.

The ABC has been told the government will continue to gather information on the attacks.

Earlier, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese passed on his condolences to the loved ones of those who died.

He said the scenes at Bondi Junction were "beyond words and understanding", and those who were targeted were just "going about an ordinary Saturday, doing their shopping".

Earlier NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb provided an update on the attack at the shopping centre.

"Let me assure you that we are confident that there is no ongoing risk."

"We are dealing with one person who is now deceased."

Watch the full video below.

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A total of 11 peoplewere taken from the shopping centre to hospital today, ABC medical reporter Elise Worthington said.

Five were transported to St Vincent's, where one patient died.

The remaining patients were taken toRoyal Prince Alfred, Sydney Children's Hospital, and Royal North Shore.

"There's no suggestion there was anyone targeted. That could change. We will only know that in time," Commissioner Webb said.

"The community … should feel very sad about what's happened here [but] they should have no ongoing concerns.

"We believe that this person acted alone and there's no ongoing threat to the community."

Commissioner Webb said the officer was "doing well under the circ*mstances".

"She showed enormous courage and bravery ... we just talked [and] she's OK, her family is OK. She's got everything she needs for the time being."

The officer will be formally interviewed tomorrow, Commissioner Webb said.

Commissioner Webb said the police "don't have fears for that person holding an ideation, in other words, that it's not a terrorism incident."

"The investigation will be ongoing for many, many days but there are elements that we understand at this point in time that don't indicate that," she said.

"We believe that he is a 40-year-old man. However, we are waiting to formally identify him and we cannot speak yet on his identification.

"Let me assure you that we are confident that there is no ongoing risk and we are dealing with one person who is now deceased."

Four women and one man died at the scene, and another woman died afterwards, she said.

Commissioner Webb said there were eight people still in hospitals around Sydney.

"A nine-month-old infant … has been in surgery," she added.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb is speaking now.

Watch the press conference below

Here is where the stabbing took place.

Transport for NSW said trains were running to Bondi Junction train station but the bus interchange was closed.

"Buses around Bondi Junction are being re-routed. Please avoid the area if possible.

"If you are getting a connecting bus service, please change at Edgecliff instead of Bondi Junction or make alternative travel arrangements."