Mass Stabbing Victims In Sydney Increase, Indonesian Consulate General Urges Indonesian Citizens To Avoid Crowds

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney, Australia has ensured that no Indonesian citizens (WNI) have been victims of mass stabbing in Sydney, urging the Indonesian people to temporarily avoid crowds and remain vigilant.

The mass stabbing incident occurred at the Sydney Westfield Bondi Junction Shopping Center, Saturday, April 13 at around 16.00 local time.

Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, Sydney Vedi Kurnia Buana, explained that the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney immediately coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Kemlu) and the Australian Federal Police, as well as contacted Indonesian community nodes.

"Until now there has been no information about the victims of Indonesian citizens in the attack," said Consul General Vedi in a written statement Saturday night.

The stabbing perpetrator, who was known to be alone, was successfully paralyzed and died on the spot, the local police said.

Meanwhile, more than eight victims of the attack have been taken to hospital and are in critical condition, including one child.

Meanwhile, the death toll, which was originally reported by five people, increased to seven by 19.47 local time.

Consul General Vedi appealed to Indonesian citizens in Sydney to temporarily avoid crowded areas and remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, the Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha, said there were approximately 10,000 Indonesian citizens in Sydney. The majority are students and migrant workers, quoted from Antara.