Hundreds evacuated from Sydney mall after suspected stabbings: Reports

SYDNEY: Hundreds of people on Saturday (Apr 13) were evacuated from a shopping centre in Sydney after a suspected stabbing, news site news.com.au reported.

A police operation was underway at the busy mall near Bondi Beach after the suspected stabbing on Saturday afternoon, according to the news site.

In a post on X, the New South Wales state police said: "A critical incident has commenced following the shooting of (a) male at Bondi Junction.

"Just before 4pm ... emergency services were called to Westfield Bondi Junction following reports of multiple people stabbed. People are urged to avoid the area.

"Inquiries are continuing in relation to the incident and there are no further details."

Two witnesses told Reuters they heard shots fired.

One of the witnesses said they saw a woman lying on the ground before sheltering in a jewellery store.

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