Car plows into pedestrians in Australia's Melbourne, up to 15 hurt

A car was deliberately driven into pedestrians in the Australian city of Melbourne on Thursday, injuring up to 14 people, though the motive was not known, police said.

DECEMBER 21, 2017 10:30

Updated: DECEMBER 21, 2017 11:48

Up to 14 people have been hurt after a car deliberately plowed into pedestrians at a crowded intersection in Melbourne

A car was deliberately driven into pedestrians in the Australian city of Melbourne on Thursday, injuring up to 14 people, though the motive was not known, police said.

"We believe based on what we have seen that it is a deliberate act," Victorian Police commander Russell Barrett told media in Melbourne. "The motivations are unknown."

According to early reports, a white SUV drove into pedestrians next to one of Melbourne’s central rail and transportation hubs. Australia’s Nine News Melbourne reported that the driver was arrested and the incident happened near the station on Flinders street, between Elizabeth and Swanston streets. Video showed ambulances at the scene.

The Ambulance Victoria service said at 5:15pm local time that 13 people have been transported to hospital and 2 treated at the scene. One of the injured is reported to be a young child.

Paramedics have now transported 13 people to city hospitals. Two more people are being assessed by paramedics at the scene.

— Ambulance Victoria (@AmbulanceVic) December 21, 2017

The street has been blocked off by police and aerial footage showed teams of police and ambulance crews in the area.

In January, a man rammed into pedestrians on Bourke street in Melbourne, killing six. He was charged with six counts of murder and 28 counts of attempted murder. His trial is ongoing.

The State of Victoria Police Department have asked the public to come forward with videos or images that might assist police in their investigation. Recent terrorist attacks involving car rammings in Israel and Europe have made large public areas and popular pedestrian streets a target. In August, a van drove into people in Barcelona, killing 13. There were three attacks involving vehicles between March and June in Sweden and the UK.

Reuters contributed to this report.