A mass shooting incident in the Australian state of New South Wales has left three people dead, police said on Thursday, with reports that a gunman remained
at large. Police said an operation was currently underway in the town of Lake Cargelligo, about 611 kilometres (379 miles) west of Sydney, and urged residents to stay indoors, Reuters reported. Two women and one man have died, and another man has been taken to the hospital in a serious but stable condition, Reuters quoted police as saying. "A police operation is currently underway at Lake Cargelligo," police said in a statement on social media. "The public is urged to avoid the area, and local residents are urged to stay inside." The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported that a gunman was believed to be holed up in the town with a long-arm weapon.
Shooting on National Day of Mourning for Australia
The shooting comes on a National Day of Mourning as Australia remembers the 15 people shot dead in Sydney at a Hanukkah celebration on December 14. During a Hanukkah celebration over the weekend on Sydney's Bondi Beach, two gunmen opened fire, killing 15 people and injuring several others.
This was one of the deadliest shootings in almost three decades in Australia, which has strict gun control laws. Prime Minister Albanese called the attack an act of antisemitic terrorism that struck at the "heart of the nation".
(This is a developing story)
