The number of people killed by a knife-wielding assailant in a busy Sydney shopping centre Saturday has climbed to six.

“One last person died at hospital,” a New South Wales police spokesman told AFP.

The attacker, whom Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said acted alone, was shot dead at the scene by police.

“For all of us tonight, the devastating scenes of Bondi Junction are beyond words or understanding,” he said.

Several other shoppers were injured, including a small child, when the knife-wielding attacker rampaged through the busy and sprawling Westfield Bondi Junction mall complex.

The motive was not immediately clear, but officials said “terrorism” could not be ruled out at this stage.

A New South Wales Ambulance spokesperson told AFP that eight patients were taken to various hospitals across Sydney, including a young child who was taken to the city’s Children’s Hospital.

“They all have traumatic injuries,” the official said.

Security camera footage broadcast by local media showed a man wearing an Australian rugby league jersey running around the shopping centre with a large knife and injured people lying lifeless on the floor.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic, with shoppers scrambling to safety and police trying to secure the area.

Several people took shelter in shops as they tried to protect themselves and their families.

‘ALIVE AND GRATEFUL’

Pranjul Bokaria had just finished up work and was doing some shopping when the stabbing occurred.

She ended up running to a nearby shop and taking shelter in a break room.

“It was scary, there are some people who were emotionally vulnerable and crying,” she told AFP.

She escaped using an emergency exit with other shoppers and staff, which took them to a back street.

She described a scene of “chaos”, with people running, and police swarming the area.

“I am alive and grateful,” she said.

source:Death toll rises to six in Sydney shopping centre attack (algoafm.co.za)