Terror struck Swedish capital Stockholm on Friday evening. A truck ploughed pedestrians before ramming into a departmental store.
At least three people were killed immediately and many more were injured.
A body, centre at right, lies on the ground after the terror attack on Sweden. Andreas Schyman, TT News Agency via AP
The most central street in all of Sweden right now … pic.twitter.com/hynHXV72uH
— 07162816 🇺🇸 🇸🇪 (@MarcWes07162816) April 7, 2017
Thick smoke rises from the department store after the attacker rammed on the store #Stockholm #Sweden pic.twitter.com/yE6peYddRz
— Skrillix (@le_Litles) April 7, 2017
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven called the it a “a terror attack” on his country.
Pictures from the Islamic jihad attack in Sweden today pic.twitter.com/P5wsWNgzuM
Advertisement— Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) April 7, 2017
Gunfire was heard minutes after the truck incident. Swedish police immediately sprang into action and apprehended a terrorist.
🆘‼️👮🔥 #Sweden: Police in #Stockholm arrested a suspect (possible terrorist) after driving a truck into a crowd. Several dead! @Onlinemagazin pic.twitter.com/IzCmW67vHi
— The National Hero (@Fake_Ljaschko) April 7, 2017
Here’s the suspect unblurred #Sweden #drottninggatan #terrorattack #Islamic pic.twitter.com/7U4q92FE3t
— Jan Larsson (@koppen_larsson) April 7, 2017
Gallery: Images from the scene: A vehicle drives into pedestrians on the busiest street in the center of Stockholm, Sweden,… #WorldWide pic.twitter.com/y6mrPFPEoN
— Raza Shaikh (@razashyd) April 7, 2017
Reports say that trains and metro services have been shut down as the police is combing the entire neighborhood for possible suspects.
A police officer in a gas mask at the terror attack site. Jessica Gow, TT News Agency via AP
Shops and the street have been closed down and people have been told to remain inside their homes and offices.
Armed police are at the main railway station in Stockholm.
Police have been deployed across Stockholm. Twitter
The attack took place on Drottninggatan (Queen Street), one of Stockholms’s major pedestrian streets.
Jessica Gow, TT News Agency via AP
What is important to note here is that Sweden has some of the most liberal policies among all European countries.
It has an open policy for all immigrants and is home to a very high number of migrants from Middle East and North Africa. In spite of criticism of its policy, which has directly contributed to the horrific rise in rapes, Sweden has never deviated from its multicultural stance.
Some Twitter users, therefore, raised pertinent questions:
And how exactly are usual apologists going to pin attack in Sweden on Western foreign policy? Sweden is hardly an interventionist paradise.
— Julie Lenarz (@MsJulieLenarz) April 7, 2017
Sweden as one of most inclusive, tolerant, refugee welcoming societies isnt protected from terror. They hate us for who we’re not what we do
— Julie Lenarz (@MsJulieLenarz) April 7, 2017
Swedish leaders just a few weeks ago. How’s that pandering to Islamists going? #StockholmTerrorAttack #Sweden pic.twitter.com/3idYg90f6O
— Luke Lewis (@Luke_e_Boy) April 7, 2017
@V_of_Europe – without even naming attackers, the world knows who it is. We’re angry that stupid Liberals did this to once beautiful Sweden.
— DecentAmerican (@DecentAmerican1) April 7, 2017
Sweden used to be a part of Europe, now it’s Radical Islamic State #Stockholm https://t.co/pGCJpBU0Z2
— sayinit ephanie (@diseasesolved) April 7, 2017
Thought I was safe in Sweden #prayforstockholm
— Alexander Gustafsson (@alexlol9991) April 7, 2017
I wonder how long till it’s confirmed that the jihadists came to Sweden as refugees ?
— Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) April 7, 2017
What will Sweden’s government do about this attack?
Absolutely nothing, that’s what. Sweden is lost.RIP Sweden.
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) April 7, 2017
Look at the Sweden model they say. It’s working in Sweden they say.
— Sean Spicier (@sean_spicier) April 7, 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and expressed his condolences for the victims:
We condemn the attack in Stockholm. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with those injured. @SwedishPM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 7, 2017
We condemn the attack in Stockholm. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with those injured. @SwedishPM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 7, 2017
