Police launch major operation in Vienna after shots fired

By: CNN

Posted: Nov 2, 2020 3:16 PM CDT

By Denise Hruby and Eliza Mackintosh, CNN

(CNN) -- Police in Vienna have launched a major operation after shots were fired in the Austrian capital.

Several people have been injured in the city center amid exchanges of fire, police said on Twitter.

"All possible forces" are responding to the incident, according to police, who are urging people to avoid the area and not to share photos or videos on social media.

"Shots fired in the Inner City district - there are persons injured - KEEP AWAY from all public places or public Transport - don't share any Videos or Fotos!" Austrian police said on Twitter.

The area where the shooting took place is a busy district packed with bars and restaurants, near Vienna's main synagogue, Seitenstettengasse Temple.

Oskar Deutsch, the head of Vienna's Jewish community, said in a tweet that it was unclear whether the synagogue was a target, but that it was closed at the time of the shooting.

This is a developing story, updates to follow