Egypt condemns ‘in strongest term’ Vienna terror attack

Egypt on Monday condemned “in the strongest terms” a terrorist attack that took place in Vienna and killed at least five people.

An unknown number of gunmen carrying long firearms opened fire into crowds in bars in Vienna during the last evening on Monday before a nationwide curfew brought into effect by midnight due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country. The attack has injured at least 15 others as gunmen opened fire in six different locations in the city.

According to the police, the attack was carried out by at least one suspect who was shot and killed by officers.

Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer called in a press conference the known attacker an Islamic State sympathiser.

Authorities continue to inspect over 20,000 videos to determine how many assailants were involved in the attack.

Egypt’s foreign ministry expressed in an official statement its condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, stressing its support to the government and people of Austria over the “brutal attack”. It expressed its confidence in the Austrian people in overcoming the tragic situation.

The ministry also reiterated its firm rejection of all types of violence, terrorism, and extremism. It called for the necessity of joining and intensifying international efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms.