A man is accused of attacking diners at several Chinese restaurants in Auckland, New Zealand, with an axe, resulting in four injuries.
After the man allegedly entered and began hitting people at 21:00 local time on Monday (09:00 GMT), footage of the incident showed customers fleeing from one restaurant. ).
He was said to be carrying several other weapons, including a "hammer-like thing," according to reports in local media.
According to police, a Chinese national was detained on the spot.
He is accused of causing severe bodily harm. He has not been given a name, and neither is his age disclosed.
According to police, the attack did not appear to have racial undertones and is being handled as a singular incident.
According to them, three patients remain in the hospital in stable condition.
Police were called from the Albany suburb, a well-known area for eating out, with reports of attacks at the Zhangliang Malatang, Yues Dumpling Kitchen, and Maya Hotpot eateries.
Suddenly, the man entered and "took a hammer-like thing out and attacked people sitting at a table," according to a staff member at one establishment, while a chef described the aftermath as "like a war zone.".
"I observed a young person, perhaps in their 20s, who had blood on their head. He told Radio New Zealand (RNZ) that they briefly stood before falling to the ground.
One patron at the restaurant reported witnessing the man pull out "a massive demonstration hammer" and "swing a blow.".
Another woman described to RNZ how the assailant used the axe to strike her friend from behind.
Before hitting her friend again, someone yelled: "What are you going to do? Why are you doing it?" she claimed.
Police have not yet revealed the man's motivation for the alleged attacks, but they have stated that more charges are expected against him.
We are making sure that there is support for both the victims and their friends and family, police commander Inspector Stefan Saga said. "We acknowledge how frightening this incident was for those involved, as well as for the wider community," he added.
