Person shot dead in central Vienna, police say not terrorism-related

Police officers secure the area next to an ambulance after shots were fired in a restaurant in Vienna, Austria December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

VIENNA (Reuters) - One person was killed and another injured in a shooting outside a popular schnitzel restaurant in central Vienna on Friday but police said the incident was not terrorism-related.

A manhunt was underway across the historic centre of the Austrian capital after the shooting in an alleyway that houses Figlmueller, a restaurant popular with tourists who flock to the city in the run-up to Christmas.

As helicopters hovered overhead, police moved to reassure the public. "We can rule out a terrorist background," police spokesman Daniel Fuerst said. The police added on Twitter: "There is currently no danger for those not involved!"

Police tape is seen at the site of shooting in a restaurant in downtown Vienna, Austria December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

The director of Figlmueller, Harald Prochazka, told daily Oesterreich's online TV channel that three people involved in the shooting ate at the restaurant beforehand.

"Everything was in order. They also left the restaurant calmly together," he said.

A police officer secures the area after shots were fired in a restaurant in Vienna, Austria December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

(Reporting by Kirsti Knolle and Francois Murphy; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Janet Lawrence)

A police officer secures the area after shots were fired in a restaurant in downtown Vienna, Austria December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Police officers secure the area at the site of a shooting in downtown Vienna, Austria December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

Police officers secure the area after shots were fired in a restaurant in downtown Vienna, Austria December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Police officers secure the area after shots were fired in a restaurant in downtown Vienna, Austria December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Police officers secure the area at the site of shooting in downtown Vienna, Austria December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner