By Samuel McKeith and Lewis Jackson
SYDNEY (Reuters) – A man was killed at a shopping center in Sydney on Saturday following reports of several people stabbed, police in the city said.
Emergency services were called to Westfield Bondi Junction just before 4pm (0600 GMT) following reports, NSW Police said in a statement.
“People are asked to avoid the area,” the statement read.
“Investigations continue into the incident and there are no further details.”
Hundreds of people were evacuated from the mall after the incident, news site news.com.au reported.
State broadcaster ABC reported that some people were trapped inside.
Two witnesses told Reuters they heard gunshots.
“Even 20 minutes after people were taken out of the mall, I saw SWAT teams of people sweeping the surrounding streets,” one of the witnesses said.
A witness said he saw a woman lying on the ground and taking refuge in a jewelry store.
New South Wales State Police said a police operation was underway but provided no further details.
Several social media posts showed crowds fleeing the mall and police cars and emergency services rushing to the area.