Two men attack Vienna church, police

Two men attack Vienna church, police

Several so-called “religious brothers” have been injured, one seriously, after being held captive at a Vienna church, police say, Euronews reports.

Two men, one carrying a gun, raided the Katholische Kirche Maria at around 13:30 local time.

Vienna police said they discovered the “shackled victims” shortly after 16h.

“One gunman threatened one of the brothers that live in the church with a gun,” Vienna police spokesperson Harald Soros told Euronews.

“The attacker told him to lay down on the floor and then he beat him with his fist and kicked him.”

Soros said that four of the man’s colleagues victims were also attacked. All victims were taken to nearby hospitals and the attackers are still at large.

Police say the size of the church complex means they cannot rule out if they are still at the site and have ruled out terrorism.