A shooter, 89, fired shots at two different sites in the Greek capital on Tuesday, injuring many persons and triggering a massive police operation across the city.
The gunman began shooting in one section of Athens before traveling to another spot and firing more shots, officials added. Emergency services were at both scenes treating injuries and sending the injured to local hospitals. The precise number of casualties has not been officially confirmed, however several persons were reported injured.
Police promptly launched an operation to control the situation, securing both locations and arresting the culprit. Authorities have not provided a motive, but initial indications suggest the assailant may have been a lone actor.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as gunfire erupted and people fled for safety. “We heard big explosions and people started running,” a witness told local media. “It was frightening.”
The incident has prompted new concerns about public safety in Greece, where gun violence is relatively uncommon compared to other areas of the world.
Authorities asked locals to stay calm as investigations continue. The police are now looking into the suspect’s past and suspected motives, and there has been an increase in security presence in critical parts of the city.
More updates to come as more details expected.
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