Melbourne car crash - live updates: Car ploughs in to crowd of pedestrians in 'deliberate act', leaving many injured
Police arrest driver of white Suzuki SUV and another man
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
A car has been driven into pedestrians outside a major train station in Australia in what police have called "a deliberate act".
Up to 19 people have been injured, four critically, outside Flinders Street station in Melbourne.
Police have arrested the driver of the white Suzuki SUV and another man.
"We believe based on what we have seen that it is a deliberate act," Victorian Police commander Russell Barrett said. "The motivations are unknown."
Victoria Police chief Shane Patton said investigators have found no evidence to suggest a link with terrorism and they had not established any relationship between the two men.
The incident had chilling echoes of several attacks by Islamist militants in various parts of the world over the past few years.
In January, four people were killed and more than 20 injured when a man deliberately drove into pedestrians at a spot just a few hundred metres away from Thursday's incident, though that was not terrorism-related.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said federal and state police as well as security agencies were working together to secure the scene and investigate the "shocking incident".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the emergency and health workers who are treating them," Mr Turnbull said in a post on his official Twitter account.
Daniel Andrews, premier of the state of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, described it as a "horrible incident."
He added: "Stay safe. Check on your loved ones. And thank you to our brave emergency services."
A statement issued by the City of Melbourne local authority said: "At this stage, the details of this incident are not fully known.
"What is known is this: a vehicle has struck and injured pedestrians at the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders streets. Victoria Police have two people in custody.
"Our emergency services, including Victoria Police, have control of this situation. We have every confidence in them to protect Melbourne in such horrific circumstances.
"We have the best advice available to us and we will continue to work with the State Government and Victoria Police to keep people safe.
"At this time our thoughts are with those most affected and of course we will work with agencies to provide immediate and long-term support to them."
Australia has been on a "high" national threat level since 2015, citing the likelihood of attacks by Australians radicalised in Iraq and Syria.
A staunch ally of the United States and its campaign against Isis in Syria and Iraq, Australia believes more than 100 of its citizens are fighting there.
Additional reporting by agencies
Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said there is no evidence to indicate there is a connection with terrorism.
The driver of the car was a 32-year-old Australian citizen of Afghan origin who has a history of mental health issues and drug use, Mr Patton said.
Premier Daniel Andrews called the incident "an act of evil, and an act of cowardice perpetrated against innocent bystanders."
The other 24-year-old man arrested at the scene was seen filming the incident and had a bag with three knives, police said.
They do not believe he was involved in the incident.
The Premier of Victoria said there were 19 people injured in the crash. He said four of those are in critical condition, while the rest are stable.
The suspect and an off-duty police officer who arrested him are among those who are being treated.
Neither of the two men taken into custody have any links to extremism or terrorism, Mr Patton told reporters.
Victoria Police have issued a new statement on the incident:
The investigation into the incident where a number of pedestrians were struck in the Melbourne CBD this afternoon continues.
At 4.41pm a white 4WD struck a number of pedestrians at the intersection of Flinders and Elizabeth Street.
Police arrived within seconds of the incident and arrested two men at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle, a 32-year-old man, was arrested by an off-duty male police officer shortly after followed by general duties police and members from the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).
The officer sustained shoulder and hand injuries during the arrest and has been conveyed to hospital.
The driver has been taken to hospital under police guard.
The second person arrested, a 24-year-old man, was arrested by CIRT.
It’s now believed he had no links to the incident, however he is still assisting police with enquiries.
Nineteen pedestrians were injured during the incident and conveyed to hospital.
Two people were also treated for non-collision related injuries.
At this time police believe this is a deliberate act, however it is only early in the investigation.
Daniel Andrews, premier of Victoria state of which Melbourne is the capital, earlier told a press conference the city would not be "defined by these sorts of incidents".
"I am confident that we will go about our business and we will celebrate Christmas, we will be at the Boxing Day Test, Carols By Candlelight and we will spend what should be a joyous time with people that we love," he said.
"But we will all spare a thought for those that have been touched and, indeed, ever changed by the evil and cowardly scenes in Flinders Street today."
Footage shows emergency services treating injured people after the crash:
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments