The Austrian authorities announced a terrorist attack in central Vienna, this evening, Monday, amid reports that 7 people were killed by gunfire, while the police confirmed the implementation of a large security operation.

The Austrian Interior Minister, Karl Nihamer, confirmed that a number of people were killed and injured in the shooting, pointing out that the authorities believe that it represents a terrorist attack.

Nihamer added that the operation is still continuing, stressing that the attack involved a group of people.

The "OE24" channel quoted police sources as saying that the attack killed 7 people and wounded others, noting that it was carried out by a group of armed men, one of whom was killed, while the "ORF" channel confirmed that a number of people were killed.

In turn, the newspaper "Kronen Zeitung" reported that one of the attackers blew himself up, explaining that the attack was carried out near the largest synagogue in Vienna, located in Schwedenplatz Square.

The media, including "OE24", reported that a group of gunmen were holding hostages in a restaurant in another area in the city center, but this information has not yet been confirmed.

And the Austrian Ministry of the Interior announced that a police officer was seriously injured and a person was detained after the shooting in central Vienna.

While the city police confirmed via "Twitter" that it was carrying out a large operation in the first region of Vienna, noting that it had deployed "all available forces" to deal with the situation.

The police reported several exchanges of fire, noting that there were injuries, and called on people to avoid visiting public sites in the area, adding that they would mention details later.

While the head of the Jewish community in Austria, Oskar Deutsch, said via "Twitter" that it was not clear whether the Vienna Synagogue and the neighboring offices were a target of fire, indicating that they were closed at that time.

By:Nadeemy Haded