Leaders were quick to react to a shooting attack in the Austrian capital on Monday evening that had claimed at least four victims by midday on Tuesday.
French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country has seen three Islamist attacks in recent weeks, pledged France’s support in response to what Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called a “repulsive terror attack”.
On Tuesday, Kurz appealed not to perceive the attack in terms of religion or cultural difference.
Very strong message from 🇦🇹 Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz here: "This is not a fight between Christans & Muslims, or between Austria & migrants. This is a fight between those who believe in piece and those who want war."#Wien https://t.co/l23IhEQ5DB
— Emmanuelle Chaze (@EmmanuelleChaze) November 3, 2020
“This is not a fight between Christians and Muslims or between Austria and migrants,” read a tweet by Kurz. “This is a fight between those who belive in peace and those who want war.”
Pledges of unity around Europe
“Europe strongly condemns this cowardly act that violates live and our human values,” said Charles Michel, president of the European Council, which groups the heads of European Union (EU) member states.
Europe strongly condemns this cowardly act that violates life and our human values.
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) November 2, 2020
My thoughts are with the victims and the people of #Vienna in the wake of tonight’s horrific attack.
We stand with Austria @sebastiankurz
“We stand with Austria.”
I am shocked and saddened by the brutal attack that took place in Vienna. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and the Austrian people.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 2, 2020
Europe stands in full solidarity with Austria. We are stronger than hatred and terror.
“Europe stands in full solidarity with Austria. We are stronger than hatred and terror,” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, the executive body of the EU.
Terrifying and disturbing news from #Vienna: Even we don’t know the full extent of the terror yet, our thoughts are with the injured and victims at this difficult time. We will not give way to hatred which is aimed at dividing our societies.
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) November 2, 2020
“We don’t know the full extent of the terror yet,” read a tweet from Germany’s foreign office. “Our thoughts are wilth the injured and victims at this difficult time.”
“The fight against these assassins and those who instigate them is our common struggle,” said a spokesperson for German Chancellor Angela Merkel. German police said they had stepped up checks on the border with Austria.
I am deeply shocked by the terrible attacks in Vienna tonight. The UK’s thoughts are with the people of Austria - we stand united with you against terror.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 2, 2020
“I am deeply shocked by the the terrible attacks in Vienna,” tweeted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. “The UK’s thoughts are with the people of Austria. We stand united with you against terror.”
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said there was “no room for hadred iand violence in our common European home.” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he was “shocked by the horrific attacks in Vienna”.
Shocked by the horrific attacks in #Vienna. I have conveyed to @sebastiankurz our full solidarity. Our thoughts are with the people in Vienna and the authorities dealing with the situation. Our hearts, with the victims and their loved ones.
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) November 2, 2020
Europe stands united against terror.
“Europe stands united against terror,” Mitsotakis tweeted.
Reactions from rest of the world
Leaders outside of Europe also condemned the attack.
Our prayers are with the people of Vienna after yet another vile act of terrorism in Europe. These evil attacks against innocent people must stop. The U.S. stands with Austria, France, and all of Europe in the fight against terrorists, including radical Islamic terrorists.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2020
“Our prayers are with the people of Vienna after another vile act of terrorism in Europe,” tweeted United States President Donald Trump. “The US stands with Austria, France and all of Europe in the fight against terrorists, including radical Islamic terrorists.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin “strongly condemded the cruel and cynical crime which one again confirmed the inhuman nature of terrorism,” the Kremlin said.
“The regrettable act perpetrated in Vienna demonstrates once again that terrorism and extremism know no borders,” said a spokesperson of Iran’s foreign ministry. “Substituting reason and intelligence for hatred and provocation creates a vicious circle that fosters an atomosphere that fuels the spread of extremist and violent tendencies.”
“As a country that has been fighting against all sorts of terrorism for decades, Turkey stands in solidarity with the Austrian people,” read a statement from Turkey’s foreign ministry.
“Pakistan strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack in Central Vienna on Monday night,” said a foreign ministry spokesperson. “We extent our deepenst condolences and sysmpathies to families of victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”
Deeply shocked and saddened by the dastardly terror attacks in Vienna. India stands with Austria during this tragic time. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 3, 2020
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was “deeply shocked and saddened by the dastardly terror attacks in Vienna.”
Kurz responded to a number of the tweets with words of thanks.
Thank you very much for your kind words of solidarity and support! This means a lot to us in these difficult times. #Austria will not be intimitated by such horrific acts of terror. Together we will defend our open societies and democratic values.
— Sebastian Kurz (@sebastiankurz) November 3, 2020
“This means a lot to us in these difficult times. Austria will nt be intimidated by such horrific acts of terror. Together we will defend our open societies and democratic values.”
