Everything That Is Currently Known About the Attack in Stockholm

At 2:53 pm today local time, the police received a call that a truck had driven into pedestrians and crashed into the entrance of a department store located on one of the busiest streets in Stockholm, Sweden. The store, Åhléns, is located on Drottinggatan (Queen’s Street) in the very center of Stockholm. Swedish State Media are reporting that sources say that at least two, maybe three, people were killed and eight people injured in the attack.

The Swedish Prime Minister commented on the attack shortly after, saying that “everything indicates this is a terror attack” as well as expressing his sympathy for the victims and their families. The police are investigating whether it is a terror attack as the method used to kill people is similar to the attack in Nice last year and most recently in London. Politicians are also expressing that they aren’t surprised by the attack since there was a failed one only 200 meters from Åhléns 6 years ago as well as the aforementioned ones in Europe.

There is currently no information known about the driver who hijacked the truck just a short while before the attack. The ordinary driver was run over when he tried to stop the hijacking, but he is alive. The police have released an image of a person that they want to reach as soon as possible but haven’t commented on why they want to speak to the person. There are reports of several arrests. However, none have been confirmed by police or identified as a suspect.

The whole city of Stockholm is currently on lockdown, and all forms of public transport in the city center has been suspended leaving many stranded without any way to get home. Many are still trapped in their workplaces unable to leave due to the police completely shutting down many streets close to where the attack occurred. Cinemas, operas, theaters and venues similar are going to be closed tonight for safety reasons.

On the hashtag, #OpenStockholm people are inviting anyone who can’t get home due to public transport being shut down into their homes.

At this time there isn’t that much information knows about the attack or the attacker(s). This article will be updated as we learn more information.

Update: Four have been pronounced dead, and between 12 and 15 are injured. The injured are both adults and children. 

Our thoughts go out to the victims, their families and everyone affected.