Nine foreigners among 19 injured in Melbourne car attack

MELBOURNE - At least 19 people, including 9 foreign nationals, were injured after an Australian-Afghan driver drove his vehicle into pedestrians in a busy downtown of Melbourne on Thursday.

The foreign nationals include citizens of South Korea, China, Italy, India, Venezuela, Ireland and New Zealand. The injured have been shifted to a hospital where three, including a 83-year-old man, are in critical condition.

Police said that the attack was a deliberate act, adding that the attacker was also suffering from mental health issues and a drug addict. The driver, who has been arrested by the police,  has attributed his act to “perceived mistreatment of Muslims”

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during a press conference on Friday said, "Our consular officials are working hard to get in touch with their families and make sure they're aware of what's happened to their loved ones."

He said that "no terrorism link has been identified" in the attack, adding that "nothing should be ruled out."

He termed it "a despicable and cowardly act," adding, "But I want to reassure Australians that this is an isolated incident.

As our federal & state police & security agencies work together to secure the scene and investigate this shocking incident our thoughts & prayers are with the victims & the emergency & health workers who are treating them. https://t.co/JkUM9TuIQe

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) December 21, 2017

"We should continue to go about our daily lives the way we always do."

Meanwhile, police officials are probing the matter to trace whether there was any terrorism-related motive behind the attack.

In January, as many as six people were killed after a car rammed into pedestrians in Melbourne's busiest mall. The case of this attack is still being heard by a court.