Tragic footage from Westfield Bondi Junction shows bodies being evacuated from the shopping complex, after a lone attacker fatally stabbed six people and injured many others.
Joel Cauchi, 40, entered Westfield at 3:10 p.m. and again at 3:20 p.m., before embarking on a violent rampage on several levels of the crowded shopping center, armed with a knife.
As of Sunday morning, seven people, including Mr. Cauchi, had died and about 12 people were hospitalized; nine who were taken there and three who had arrived at medical facilities of their own volition.
Crews are working to remove bodies from the scene on Sunday after six people were killed in an attack at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney on Saturday. Photo: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer
On Sunday, police identified the attacker as Queensland man Joel Cauchi. Photo: 9 NEWS
Among those hospitalized is nine-month-old baby Harriet, whose mother, Ash Good, was killed in the attack.
Dawn Singleton, the daughter of millionaire businessman John Singleton, also lost her life in the attack.
Workers could be seen carrying bodies, wrapped in a brown bag, past a long line of white vans, which had arrived to take away the victims and their killer, who was fatally shot by police.
Their faces were dejected as they carried the stretchers out of the mall.
Workers appeared disheartened as they struggled to remove the bodies from the scene. Photo: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer
The mall will remain closed for the foreseeable future, although arrangements have been made for those who were forced to flee on Saturday, leaving their cars behind.
Acting NSW Premier Penny Sharpe told morning television that Westfield was working with the government.
“It’s a crime scene. We need to make sure every little detail is nailed down,” Ms Sharpe said.
The bodies were loaded into white vans, lined up outside the center. Photo: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer
Police swarmed the shopping complex on Saturday. Photo: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer
There are around 1,500 cars stuck in parking lots. Shoppers were asked to leave their cars while the mall was closed.
From 10am NSW time, people would be informed when they could collect their cars, Ms Sharpe said.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Anthony Cooke said police would make arrangements “quickly” to let people know when they can collect their belongings and vehicles from the mall.
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