Munich manhunt after eight shot dead
Conflicting reports over who was responsible for attack on shoppers
ARMED police lined the streets of Munich last night as a city-wide manhunt got under way after a terror attack left at least eight people dead.
Shoppers and passers-by at the city’s Olympia shopping centre were forced to flee the scene with their hands in the air as three gunmen opened fire. One of the gunmen is suspected to have been killed, but police last night continued to hunt for the other attackers.
There were conflicting reports that the gunmen shouted “I’m German” and “**** foreigners” as they opened fire, while others said they heard shouts of “Allahu Akbar”.
Police responded to the incident in large numbers, with dozens of vehicles outside the shopping centre and a large number of armed officers and a helicopter also at the scene.
The city was on lockdown as the transport system ground to a halt and officers urged people to stay at home.
Drivers were also asked to keep motorways clear and taxi drivers were urged not to pick up passengers as the police operation took place. Many residents in the city opened their doors to people in need using social media and the hashtag #OffeneTur – or #OpenDoor, while Facebook’s safety check feature was activated.
AT least eight people have been killed and several injured in a terrorist attack at a shopping centre in Munich.
Terrified shoppers and passers-by had to flee the scene as at least three gunmen opened fire at the Olympia Einkaufszentrum shopping centre in the south of the German city.
One of the gunmen is believed to have been killed, while a major police operation was under way late last night as the hunt continued for the remaining perpetrators.
There were conflicting reports that the attackers shouted “I’m German” and “**** foreigners” as they opened fire, while other witnesses claimed they heard shouts of “Allahu akbar”.
Unverified footage showing one man taking shots at people outside a McDonald’s restaurant near to the shopping centre.
Another clip also appeared to show one of the gunmen on the roof of the centre’s carpark.
The city was on lockdown last night as the transport system ground to a halt and police urged people to stay home and avoid public places.
Several shoppers and workers remained locked inside stores at the shopping centre as the hunt for the attackers took place.
Munich Police said: “At around 5.50pm there were witnesses who called the police and said there was a shooting at the Hanauer Street.
“The shooting moved from that street to the shopping centre. The witnesses said there were three different people with weapons.
“At the moment no culprit has been arrested. The search is taking place at high speed.”
The attack took place on the fifth anniversary of the lone wolf terrorist attacks by Anders Behring Breivik in Norway in which 77 people were killed.
Police responded to the incident in large numbers, with dozens of vehicles lining the street outside the shopping centre, and a number of armed officers and a helicopter also at the scene, which was cordoned off.
Footage showed large crowds running away from the scene with their hands in the air as armed police positioned themselves on the surrounding streets.
One witness, Thamina Stoll, whose grandmother’s apartment is close to the centre, was heading there when she met crowds running the other way.
She said: “We ran into another family and they were in shock. They were scared and they told us not to go back to the shopping mall.
“After we were spoken to by the family, we went back upstairs to my grandma’s apartment, about three minutes away from the shopping mall. We took in the family. They were so scared.”
Drivers around the city were urged to keep the motorways clear and taxi drivers were asked to refrain from picking up passengers in the area as police continued the manhunt.
For those who were stranded, refuge was offered around the city
‘‘ Shooting moved from street to the shopping centre. The witnesses said there were three people with weapons
via social media, under the hashtag #OffeneTur – or #OpenDoor – as people opened up their properties to those unable to get home.
Facebook’s Safety Check feature was also activated so that people could let friends and family know that they are safe.
British nationals in Germany were advised to comply with instructions from local authorities.
A British Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are urgently seeking further information following the ongoing incident in Munich. We are in touch with the relevant authorities.”
Political leaders around the world reacted quickly to the shooting. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Horrific reports from #Munich. Thinking of everyone there and also the emergency services at the scene.”
The attack comes just a week after the terrorist attack in Nice, which left 84 dead. Five suspects have appeared in court in France in connection with the atrocity.