Man shot, multiple stabbed in busy Sydney shopping mall

Australian police have evacuated hundreds of visitors from a busy shopping mall in Sydney after a man was shot and multiple people stabbed, AFP reported.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening at the sprawling Westfield Bondi Junction mall complex.

As per the New South Wales Ambulance, a man who is believed to be one of the attackers has been shot dead by police.

The area has been evacuated and police have advised people to avoid going near as the incident is still ongoing, BBC reported.

According to eyewitnesses, there was panic at the scene, with shoppers running to safety and police trying to secure the area.

One of the witnesses said: "Even 20 minutes after people were rushed out of the mall, I saw SWAT teams of people sweeping the surrounding streets."

Several people took shelter in nearby supermarkets and shops.

In the security camera footage being broadcasted by local media channels, a man can be seen running around the shopping centre with a large knife and injured people lying on the floor.

The motive behind the incident is still unclear.