Chaos unfolds at Sydney mall after multiple stabbings reported

1. Crowds sent into terror at busy shopping centre

   Tiffanie Turnbull

   Reporting from Westfield Bondi shopping centre

   I was at the Westfield Bondi shopping centre just 20 minutes before the stabbing started.

   It’s one of the biggest and most popular shopping centres in the country – and like any other Saturday, was packed with hundreds of people, including many and young children.

   Those crowds were sent into a state of terror on this afternoon, as they were forced to hide in shops or try and flee to safety as a knife-wielding man roamed the centre.

2. Police news conference expected to begin shortly

   We're expecting a news conference from the New South Wales Police to begin shortly.

   We'll be covering those updates live here, but you can also watch the presser live by clicking the Play button at the top of the page.

   

   ReutersCopyright: Reuters

3. What we know so far about Sydney mall stabbings

   

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   At 16:00 local time (07:00 BST), ambulances were called to the scene of a Sydney-area mall after reports of multiple stabbings.

   If you're just joining us now, here's everything we know in this developing story:

   • A man has been shot and multiple people have reportedly been stabbed in an incident that sparked panic at a Sydney mall
   • A nine-month-old baby is reportedly among those stabbed, while at least four people are dead, according to local media
   • Ambulances called to the scene were reportedly responding to “reports of a male running around Westfield with a knife”
   • The incident is ongoing and people are urged to avoid the area
   • New South Wales Ambulance told news agency AFP one man, believed to be an attacker, was shot dead by police
   • Video footage shows dozens of police and ambulances at the scene, and images on social media appear to show multiple casualties, as well as a man carrying a large knife
   • A police press conference is expected soon

4. Reports that a nine-month-old baby among those injured

   Australian media outlets are reporting that a nine-month-old baby is among those injured.

   New South Wales Ambulance told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the baby was one of seven people who had been stabbed at the Westfield shopping centre.

   And an eyewitness told the Sydney Morning Herald they had seen a mother and baby who were both injured.

   Local media are reporting that at least four people died in the attack, and police say a man has been shot.

   Please stay with us as we continue to get you more details about this breaking news story.

5. Local police confirm a male has been shot in ‘critical incident’

   

   ReutersCopyright: Reuters

   We've just received a statement from the New South Wales Police who say officers are responding to a “critical incident” after a male was shot at Bondi Junction.

   In a statement, the force has said emergency services were called just before 16:00 local time (07:00 BST) to the Westfield shopping centre in Sydney following reports of multiple stabbings.

   Police have advised people to avoid the area as inquiries continue.

6. Good morning

   Good morning. Welcome to our live coverage of an incident unfolding at a Sydney shopping centre after there were reports of multiple stabbings.

   Police have confirmed that one man has been shot after crowds could be seen fleeing the Westfield mall at Bondi junction and local media report several people are dead.

   Hundreds have so far been evacuated from the area, AFP reports, while video shows ambulances and a heavy police presence at the scene.

   This is a developing story so please stay with us as we bring you live updates.