Eight people are injured in ‘terror attack’ stabbings in southern Sweden with police shooting suspect in his 20s who is now in hospital
- Suspected terrorist launched attack around 3pm Wednesday in southern town
- He was shot in the leg by officers after inuring eight people with a blade
- The condition of his victims remains unclear but some were ‘seriously’ wounded
Eight people have been injured in a suspected terrorist stabbings in Sweden.
Police said a man in his 20s launched the attack just before 3pm on Wednesday in Vetlanda, a small town in the country’s south.
The attacker was shot in the leg by officers and has been taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment under armed guard.
Some of the eight victims were said to be ‘seriously’ wounded and required an ambulance. Some local media reported that the attacker used an axe.
The assailant’s motive remains unclear but police said they are treating it as a ‘suspected terrorist crime.’
The attack took place at around 3pm on Wednesday in the small town of Vetlanda in southern Sweden
The local train station was closed at the request of the police and a large number of officers have been sent to carry out patrols of the town of around 13,000 residents.
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven condemned the attack as he sent his condolences to the victims and their families.
‘Tonight I am thinking of those injured in Vetlanda and their relatives. I condemn this horrific violence. We are facing these heinous acts with the collective power of society,’ the PM said in a written statement.
Minister of the Interior Mikael Damberg called the attack ‘terrible.’
The government minister said: ‘Several people are seriously injured. These are terrible events and my thoughts go to the victims and their relatives.
‘Right now it is unclear exactly what happened and what the motive was. The police have arrested a suspected perpetrator and have initiated a special incident to handle the development of the incident and create security in Vetlanda.’