1 of 2 police officers in front of the Ismaelita center in Lisbon, where a man stabbed and killed people, on March 28, 2023. — Photo: Pedro Nunes/ Portal Police officers at the door of the Ismaelita center in Lisbon, where a man stabbed and people killed, on March 28, 2023. — Photo: Pedro Nunes/Portal
Two people were killed and dozens more injured in a knife attack on a Muslim cultural center in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday (28th).
According to the police, a man of Afghan origin entered the center there on Avenida Lusíada in the Benfica regionand stabbed people who were inside the place with machete. He was shot dead by the police and taken to the hospital.
The injured were also taken to a nearby hospital. As of the last time this news was updated, there was no information about her health status.
According to the police, the fatalities are two women aged around 40 and 20 years.
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa said it was not yet known whether the attack was a terrorist attack. “But everything points to an isolated act,” he said.
As of this news’s last update, no group had claimed the attack.
2 of 2 Aerial view of the Ismaelite Center in Lisbon, Portugal. — Photo: Disclosure aerial photo of the Ismaelite Center in Lisbon, Portugal. — Photo: Disclosure
The center where the attack took place is frequented by Ismailis, a Shia minority who have been the target of attacks in countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to its website, the Ismaelita Center in Lisbon has 18,500 square meters and hosts activities such as conferences, exhibitions and cultural activities.