Australia reacts to mass stabbing at Bondi Junction Westfield in Sydney

Australians are watching in horror at the situation unfolding in Bondi this afternoon, with the whole country left distraught by the mass attack.

Australians have reacted with horror at the deadly incident that unfolded in Sydney this afternoon, with multiple people dead and many more injured.

Five people have been confirmed dead in a mass stabbing attack in Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon, with a nine-month-old child believed to be among the many others who are injured.

Videos have emerged of a man dressed in a green shirt and armed with a large knife inside the shopping centre.

Emergency services were called to the scene just before 4pm following reports multiple people had been stabbed. An alleged offender was shot dead by police.

A man with a knife was seen inside Westfield Bondi Junction. Picture: Twitter

Multiple people have been injured. Picture: Twitter.

Members of the public have shared their horrified reactions online as the story continues to unfold.

“This is absolutely tragic for all involved. How can this happen in Australia?” one person wrote on social media.

Another shared their shock at an attack of this nature unfolding in a “public place in this country”.

Others have likened the scenes to something that they would expect to see in America, not here in Australia.

“It’s terrible. We are becoming as bad as the US & other countries,” one person said.

Many people are sending their thoughts to the victims and the families of those involved in the tragedy.

Scenes at Bondi Junction where at least five people were killed. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Australians have reacted in horror at the unfolding tragedy. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“The footage circulating in Twitter is horrendous. Poor victims and first responders,” one person wrote.

“This is just shocking and on another level,” another said.

One added: “Gut wrenching, so sorry to those who have lost their loved ones in this barbaric act.”

Crowds of panicked shoppers were seen running as tactical police stormed the shopping centre.

One witness told news.com.au that they saw the bodies of two young people in front of the JD Sports store on level four, with horrific footage showing many more people injured.

Footage has been circulating showing police offers attempting to save the lives of multiple victims by administering CPR.

Two men speaking to Nine News described the scene inside the store, revealing a baby and her mother were stabbed in the attack.

“The baby got stabbed and, yeah the mum got stabbed,” one of the men said.

“The mum came over with the baby and threw it at me. And [I was] just holding the baby. Yeah. Looked pretty bad.”

Police ‘not ruling anything out’

Authorities believe the alleged offender “acted alone”, with Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke telling reporters on Saturday evening he is “content that there is no continuing threat”.

“I do not have information in relation to the offender,” he said.

“I do not know at this stage who he is.”

Anthony Albanese has now also released a statement, explaining he has been briefed by the AFP on what he called the “devastating events at Bondi Junction”.

“Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones,” he said.

The Attorney General said there is no information that proves the attack is terror-related, but the AFP are consulting with NSW Police are will activate a joint counter terrorism team if necessary.