On the evening of November 2, 2020, the Austrian capital Vienna was hit by a deadly terrorist attack carried out by a sympathizer with the so-called “Islamic State”, leaving four civilians dead and 13 severely injured. It was the first major terrorist attack in Vienna since the 1980’s.
Defending Liberal Society
In an address to the nation, Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described the deadly incident as “an attack out of hatred, hatred for our basic values.” He warned against making assumptions about Austria’s Muslim community: “This is no fight between Christians and Muslims, or between Austrians and migrants. This is a fight between civilization and barbarism. Our enemy is never all those belonging to a religion, our enemy is never all the people that come from a particular country but rather “our enemy is extremists and terrorists.”
Representatives from the federal government, the leadership of the City of Vienna as well as respresentatives from all major religious communities, all vowed that the attacker would not divide Austrian society nor alter Austrians’ way of life.
The Federal Cabinet declared three days of national mourning with flags on government buildings, including Austria’s diplomatic representations around the world, to be flown at half-staff.
Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Cardinal Schönborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, and Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Arsenios at a memorial service at Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral on November 3, 2020.
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen (on the right) and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (seen kneeling) attend a wreath laying ceremony at one of the venues of the attack.
Support From All Over the World
Leaders from all over the world, including the U.S. President, sent messages of condolence and expressed their country’s solidarity with Austria.
Book of Condolence
The terrible terrorist attack in Vienna leaves many people in shock. Our thoughts and compassion are with the victims and their families. Honor the victims with an entry in the official book of condolence:
To submit your message: click on “Eintragen”, write your name in the “Name” box, write your message in the “Eintrag” box and then click on “Vorschau” to get a preview before validating your message.
Photos (c) Dragan Tatic/BKA, Peter Lechner/HBF
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