Five monks assaulted and tied up at Vienna church

At least one attacker demanded money and valuables, police say

The assault happened around 1.20pm on Thursday at Maria Immaculata church in the city’s Florisdorf district (Google Maps)

Five monks have been assaulted at a church in Vienna.

Police said at least one of the two assailants demanded money and valuables.

The assault happened around 1.20pm on Thursday at a complex in the city’s Florisdorf district.

No church service was underway when the assailants entered the Maria Immaculata church.

Police found the monks tied up, one of them with head injuries, nearly three hours later.

They were aged between 56 and 68, and it appeared the others had tried to intervene after one of the assailants – described as speaking with a foreign accent – attacked the oldest monk, the Austria Press Agency reported.

Police wrote on Twitter that, while the precise motive remains unclear, “a possible terror motive can be ruled out”.

Officers were searching for the perpetrators, including in the complex where the attack took place.

On Thursday evening they said they had found nothing in the building.