VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Gunmen attacked six locations in central Vienna on Monday starting outside the main synagogue, killing two people and injuring at least 14 in what Austria called a “repulsive terror attack” while hunting one or more assailants on the loose.

Witnesses described the men firing into crowds in bars with automatic rifles, as many people took advantage of the last evening before a nationwide curfew was introduced because of COVID-19. Police shot and killed one assailant.

Police sealed off much of the historic centre of Vienna, urging the public to shelter in place. Many sought refuge in bars and hotels, while public transport throughout the old town was shut down and police scoured the city.

“It is the hardest day for Austria in many years. We are dealing with a terror attack the severity of which, thank God, we have not experienced in Austria in many years,” Interior Minister Karl Nehammer told a news conference.

Austria’s capital had so far been spared the kind of deadly militant attacks that have struck Paris, London, Berlin, and Brussels, among others, in recent years. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said the “repulsive” act was “definitely a terror attack”, but he could not say what the motive was.

Oskar Deutsch, the head of Vienna's Jewish community, which has offices adjoining the synagogue on a narrow cobbled street dotted with bars, said on Twitter here that it was not clear whether the temple or offices were targeted but that they were closed at the time.

Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister told London’s LBC radio he was living in the compound of the synagogue. “Upon hearing shots, we looked down (from) the windows and saw the gunmen shooting at the guests of the various bars and pubs,” he said.

“The gunmen were running around and shooting at least 100 rounds or even more in front of our building,” he said.

Border checks were being reinforced, the Interior Ministry said, and children would not be required to attend school on Tuesday. Although people were urged to stay indoors Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig told broadcaster ORF the city would run normally on Tuesday, albeit with a tougher police presence. (Reuters)

Indonesian citizens who live in several US states are advised to stay at home and avoid crowds during the US presidential election on November 3, 2020.

The appeal was issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to avoid possible riots if there is a demonstration.

The appeal was made by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) New York for Indonesian citizens living in their working areas, namely the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Through a circular dated November 1, 2020, New York time, the Indonesian Consulate General made five appeals for hundreds of thousands of Indonesian citizens living in these 15 states.

"Indonesian citizens are urged to avoid crowds or other vulnerable places that are considered to be potential locations for demonstrations or riots," said the Indonesian Consulate General in New York in a circular received in Jakarta Monday night (2/11).

Despite the potential for riots, the Indonesian Consulate General asked the Indonesian people to respond to all situations calmly and with full vigilance during the presidential election. Indonesian citizens are also asked to remain at home during the presidential election.

"Indonesian citizens are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible if there are no urgent matters/interests," said the circular.

If there is an urgent need that requires residents to leave their homes, the Indonesian Consulate asks Indonesian citizens to apply health protocols, such as wearing masks and maintaining distance, to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

In order to know the development of the situation during the presidential election, the Indonesian Consulate General in New York also asked the Indonesian people in the US to follow information from the official media and calls from related institutions, particularly regarding the security situation in the US.

Finally, the Indonesian Consulate General in New York launched a hotline that could be contacted if Indonesian citizens needed assistance in facing an emergency situation.

"Indonesian citizens who need assistance from the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia New York can contact the hotline number of the Indonesian Consulate General in New York: 347 806 927, 646 491 3809, 646 238 8721, 929 366 9842, 929 329 4872."

According to self-report data from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of June 2020, the number of Indonesian citizens in the US has reached more than 142,000. (Antaranews)