Dunedin supermarket stabbing sees five people taken to hospital, another arrested
Five people have been stabbed at a supermarket in the city of Dunedin on New Zealand's South Island.
Key points:
Five people, including staff members, have been stabbed at a supermarket in the New Zealand city of Dunedin
All victims have been taken to hospital, with three reported as being in a critical condition
Police have arrested one person suspected of carrying out the attack
Supermarket chain Countdown, a subsidiary of Australia's Woolworths, has confirmed that two employees are among the victims.
All five people have been taken to a local hospital, with three in a critical condition.
Police have said one person has been taken into custody.
The attack happened around 2:30pm local time.
Countdown issued a statement announcing the store would be closed until Wednesday.
"Our priority right now is our injured team members and caring for our wider team in the wake of this extremely traumatic event," the statement read.
"We are deeply upset that customers who tried to help our team members were also injured.
"Dunedin Central store will remain closed today and tomorrow while we support our team."
The company also said there were concerns about escalating violence towards its employees in recent months.
"This is something we have continued to talk and raise as an issue over the last year," the statement said.
"Our amazing team comes to work to serve Kiwis every day, and our customers visit our stores knowing that they will be safe. We are heartbroken that this wasn't the case today."
A press conference will be held at 5:15pm local time (3:15pm AEST) outside Dunedin Central Police Station.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-10/five-people-stabbed-in-new-zealand-countdown-including-staff/100128890