Sydney, Australia - At least five people were killed and several others injured, including a small child, when a knife-wielding attacker rampaged through a busy Sydney shopping center on Saturday, Australian police said.

Multiple people were stabbed by the unidentified assailant, who was shot dead by a police officer at the scene.

The incident occurred at the sprawling Westfield Bondi Junction mall complex, which was packed with Saturday afternoon shoppers.

"I'm advised that there are five victims who are now deceased as a result of the actions of this offender," said New South Wales police assistant commissioner Anthony Cooke.

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The motive was not immediately clear, but Cooke said "terrorism" could not be ruled out at this stage.

"I do not know at this stage who he is. You would understand this is quite raw. Inquiries are very new and we are continuing to make attempts to identify the offender in this matter," said Cooke.

A New South Wales Ambulance spokesperson told AFP that eight patients were taken to various hospitals across Sydney, including a young child who was taken to the city's Children's Hospital.

"They all have traumatic injuries," the official said.

Security camera footage broadcast by local media showed a man wearing an Australian rugby league jersey running around the shopping center with a large knife and injured people lying on the floor.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic, with shoppers scrambling to safety and police trying to secure the area.

Several people took shelter in shops as they tried to protect themselves and their families.

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Pranjul Bokaria had just finished up work and was doing some shopping when the stabbing occurred. She ended up running to a nearby shop and taking shelter in a break room.

"It was scary, there are some people who were emotionally vulnerable and crying," she told AFP.

She escaped using an emergency exit with other shoppers and staff, which took them to a backstreet.

As night fell, dozens of police and ambulances were still outside the shopping complex, with stretchers ready to take people to nearby hospitals.

The mall has been locked down and police have urged people to avoid the area.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed Australians' sadness and shock at the attack.

"Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones," he wrote on social media platform X.

Such attacks are virtually unheard of in Australia, which has relatively low rates of violent crime.

The death toll in the stabbing spree has now risen to six, Australian authorities confirmed.

"One last person died at hospital," a New South Wales police spokesperson told AFP.