An Afghan man drove across a street crowd yesterday afternoon in a deliberate car accident outside the Flinders train station in Melbourne`s downtown traffic hub, injuring 19 people and killing four others. Update: the police say the man was deliberately involved, but there is no evidence that he is in contact with terrorist
A car crash broke out outside the Flinders Street train station in Melbourne`s CBD on Thursday around 04:40. According to several media reports, the incident injured 19 people, including a child.
(photo source: CNN)
Victoria State Police Commissioner Shane Patton said an Afghan-American man was driving a white Suzuki VitaraSUV into the crowd. At present, the man has been arrested by police. Although police believe the man deliberately drove into a person, there is no evidence that the incident is related to terrorism.
At the time of the incident, a reader in Melbourne today was on the scene. He told the reporter afterwards that his most worried thing had finally happened.
"just after that intersection, I bought a cup of coffee at the intersection 711, ready to take the tram, as soon as I got on the tram, I heard a loud noise, and then the crowd panicked, and as soon as I got out of the car, I noticed something was wrong," the reader said. "in fact, I had long thought that the intersection was dangerous, because it was a T-junction. Pedestrians can walk all over the rectangular area, so there will be a lot of people there, and with all due respect, that intersection is the place where criminals are most likely to be spotted, "he told reporters." I`ve always been worried about that intersection. And it did happen today. "
Police immediately after the incident, the suspect driver knocked over on the spot and arrested.
According to police, the driver was an immigrant from Afghanistan. Police said the man had a history of drug use and a history of mental illness. "to the best of our knowledge, the man is being treated for mental illness," Patton said.
Another man at the scene was also arrested.
(photo source: CNN)
Victoria police spokesman Russell Barrett said the injuries were serious, including a preschool child. It is reported that the child`s head was badly injured in the accident.
A witness named Cameron Von Borstel said he heard a loud noise during the incident and thought the car had crashed into a tram. "I went down to the street and found several people lying on the ground, and all the passers-by came to help."
Yes, perhaps the most shocking and touching of the whole incident was the quality of the Melbourne people`s first appearance.
After the incident, many people did not choose to escape, but the first time to help the injured, the scene is very touching. Even if the SUV at this time still risked thick smoke, there is an unknowable danger at any time!
At the scene, there was a crowd of people around each of the injured, helping the police and doctors as much as possible and providing first aid.
Many others helped evacuate women and children immediately after the incident. In a terrorist attack, they are the most in need of protection!
After the incident, a resting police officer stepped forward! Not in turn, he could have chosen to watch, but, with a call of duty, he rushed up, risked his life and fought with the perpetrators, and arrested him! As a result, he suffered a lot of injuries, but he became a real hero!
Of course, there are a lot of people, the behavior after the incident is equally touching.
Many people volunteered to call the police and actively cooperate with the police in testifying; many volunteered to help ease traffic; and many volunteered to tell relatives and friends not to go to the area.
Here, you`re all heroes!
(photo source: CNN)
"this is a terrible incident, it`s a cowardly act," said Governor Daniel Andrews of Victoria, adding that the state`s security threat level will not be raised as a result and people can still enjoy their holidays.
The following is the full text of the Governor`s speech:
What happened in Flinders Street today was an act of evil.
What happened in Flinders St was a evil trip.
This was an attack on innocent bystanders – people finishing their Christmas shopping, heading home from work, unwinding for the year.
It`s an attack on innocent passers-by. People have just finished Christmas shopping, or come home from work, looking forward to the end of the year.
They did not deserve this. Our city did not deserve this.
They shouldn`t be bothered by this evil, and so should our city.
Christmas should be a time of celebration, spent with loved ones.
Christmas was supposed to be a celebration, and it was supposed to be with someone you loved.
Instead, for many Victorian families, it will now be a permanent reminder of the day their lives changed forever.
They will always remember the day.
To the victims and their families, we extend our support and our love.
We extend our support and love to the victims and to their relatives and friends.
And to those heroes – our first responders, and those who rushed to the aid of others – we extend our deepest thanks
And we are deeply grateful to those who first stepped forward, and to those who came forward to help us.
Anyone affected can contact the Victims Support Helpline on 1800 819 817.
All those in need can call the victim support hotline, 1800 819 817
Tonight, Victorians stand strong, and we stand together
Tonight, all the people of Victoria are United.
Australian Prime Minister Tam Po said in a statement that it was a "shocking incident" and hoped that the injured would recover as soon as possible. Tan Bao also promised that federal goverment and state security agencies will thoroughly investigate the matter.
(photo source: CNN)
Although there is no evidence that the terrorism was involved in the crash, Australia does face a terrorist threat, and the incident fully demonstrates that the terrorist does not need weapons, and that a single vehicle can cause a large number of casualties.
In the past year, Australia has been the target of the terrorist several times.
Attempted: shooting Melbourne New yea
At the end of November, an Australian young man, born in Australia, a descendant of Somalia, was identified as citizen by the Victoria police, arrest.
(arrested suspect)
Poisoned by IS`s extreme thoughts, he decided to shoot downtown Melbourne on New year`s Eve! "I will shoot the crowd and kill as many people as possible!" I can`t believe he declared that!
Senior police officer Shane Patton said the man had not been given any weapons, but that if he successfully carried out the attack, the casualties would be catastrophic!
Last New year`s Eve, 500000 people attended the New year`s celebration in downtown Melbourne! When someone starts an attack, the consequences are unthinkable!
Fortunately, the Australian police moved quickly and knocked him to the ground with an iron fist!
Attempted: bombing Sydney flight
At the end of July, British intelligence agencies learned that several Sydney terrorist were planning to manufacture bomb, according to Australian local media SBS.
Intelligence said terrorist plans to place the bomb on international flights to and from Australia and the Middle East, detonating in the middle of the route, poisoning the crew and passengers, or causing the plane to crash, and that bomb is nearing completion.
SBS said British intelligence immediately informed Australian police that Australian police had wanted to gather more evidence before making the arrest, but the goverment threatened to issue a travel warning against Australia if Australia did not make an immediate arrest.
Australian police immediately took action to arrest the suspect.
Accomplished: murder of Chinese compatriots
On June 5 this year, one wolf, terrorist, attacked the Buckingham Serviced apartment in the Brighton district, killing our Chinese fellow Nick. Here`s the killer, Yacqub Khayre.
Attempted: bombing of Flinders railway station
On Christmas Eve last year, four Australians-born 24 to 25-year-old Lebanese ethnic group, and an Egyptian-born Australian citizen were encouraged by IS to plan to use bomb and other weapons against Melbourne`s Flinders St railway station. Union Square (Federation Square) and St. Paul`s Cathedral (St Paul') S Cathedral) committed a terrorist attack!
Fortunately, the state police and federal police received reports, after investigation and cleaning, the group of terrorist captured in one move, otherwise the results are unthinkable!
As an important ally of the United States and a great power in the western world, Australia has assumed considerable responsibility in the international war on terror and has therefore been regarded as a thorn in the eye of the international terrorist forces.
The crumbling terrorist group ISIS has repeatedly issued statements inciting its followers to attack Australia.
