11 wounded in Austrian temple fight

Groups of rival worshippers at a Sikh temple in the Austrian capital pulled knives and at least one handgun in a mass fight today, injuring at least 11 people.

Witnesses said the fight erupted after a dispute over the sermon, given by a man identified by the Austria Press Agency as Shri Guru Ravidas Sabha.

Police said at least six men, one wielding a gun and the others knives, attacked the preacher.

Others rushed to his aid, resulting in the melee.

Police spokesman Michael Takacs told APA that one of the attackers is in a critical condition, while the wounds of the others were less serious.

Four ambulances and three medical helicopters took the victims to the hospital.

The temple is situated in Vienna-Rudolfsheim, the capital’s 15th district. Police cordoned off the area.