Visibly emotional Alpine Shire mayor extends condolences to family members of ‘tragically killed’ officers
Benita Kolovos
The mayor of the Alpine Shire, Sarah Nicholas, has simply launched a video assertion on-line. In it, she stated:
Right now has been a day of deep sorrow and shock for our group. At first, we lengthen our heartfelt condolences to the households, pals, and colleagues of the 2 law enforcement officials tragically killed in Porepunkah. Our ideas, love, and unwavering help are with you throughout this extremely painful time.
We maintain our police within the highest regard. They serve with braveness, compassion, and dedication, and their loss is felt profoundly throughout our area. We’re deeply grateful for his or her service and dedication.
A visibly emotional Nicholas acknowledged it had been an “unsettling and emotional” day for the broader group. She continued:
Thanks in your persistence, your understanding, and for persevering with to observe police directions to remain secure. Your look after each other is what makes our Shire so sturdy. To our great lecturers: thanks for being a gentle and calming presence for our kids throughout immediately’s lockdowns. Your kindness and reassurance have made a world of distinction in serving to our younger ones really feel secure and supported.
She stated all council services would stay closed till additional discover, and a council assembly deliberate for tonight was cancelled.
We’ll hold our group knowledgeable as providers resume. We’re grieving collectively, and we’ll proceed to help each other with compassion and care. Please keep secure.
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Up to date at 02.09 EDT
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Adeshola Ore
Caravan park close to Porepunkah taking pictures web site in ‘indefinite’ lockdown
Emily White, a supervisor at Mount Buffalo caravan park, says the positioning is in lockdown.
White, whose household additionally manages the close by Riverview caravan park, stated police had advised everybody to stay on the web site.
Now we have been advised we will’t exit. Nobody got here are available in.
We don’t understand how lengthy. It’s indefinite proper now.
White stated a close-by checkpoint, about 500m from the Mount Buffalo Caravan Park, may solely be handed by law enforcement officials.
In the meantime, the ABC is reporting that folks native to the realm are capable of choose up their kids from Porepunkah major faculty, which had been in lockdown since this morning.
Most of Porepunkah stays in lockdown. {Photograph}: Simon Dallinger/AAPShare
Up to date at 02.02 EDT
Virtually two dozen police vehicles at web site of taking pictures as helicopter conducts search, airfield officer says
Earlier, we reported that Porepunkah airfield was closed as a result of emergency response. Its airfield energetic reporting officer, Mark Simpson, appeared on ABC Melbourne radio earlier to offer an replace on the unfolding state of affairs.
He stated from his location, at a roundabout close to the incident web site, en path to the airfield, he may see about 15 stationary police vehicles and 7 or eight undercover vehicles.
The roundabout additionally leads into the close by township of Mount Buffalo.
A helicopter continued to go looking the realm, Simpson stated. He has been advised to stay put.
[The helicopter] has taken off from the airfield, been refuelled and remains to be looking for an individual.
Victoria police on the scene of the taking pictures. {Photograph}: Simon Dallinger/AAPShare
Up to date at 02.03 EDT
Adeshola Ore
One individual handled for ‘severe decrease physique accidents’, Ambulance Victoria confirms.
Ambulance Victoria has launched a press release about its response to the Porepunkah taking pictures.
A spokesperson confirmed paramedics had been on the scene.
Paramedics have handled one individual for severe decrease physique accidents and transported [them] by air ambulance in a secure situation.
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Up to date at 01.41 EDT
Porepunkah airfield closed as a consequence of ‘emergency response’
The Porepunkah airfield has confirmed it has been closed as a result of ongoing “emergency response”. Police and emergency providers nonetheless have entry.
The airfield is located two nautical miles south of the Porepunkah township, east of Mt. Buffalo nationwide park. It’s normally house to common and leisure plane, trikes, sailplanes, paramotors and radio-controlled fashions.
Earlier, the airfield energetic reporting officer, Mark Simpson, advised Guardian Australia he was caught on the roundabout close to the incident amid about 10 police automobiles, because the highway heading south had been blocked off.
Porepunkah airfield, Victoria. {Photograph}: Phil VabreShare
Up to date at 01.32 EDT
Helicopter persevering with to circle over Porepunkah, police reportedly on scene in camouflage gear
ABC Goulburn Murray reporter Erin Somerville is talking to ABC Melbourne radio to offer an replace from the scene, which she says is “eerily nonetheless”.
There are nonetheless dozens of police right here at Porepunkah on a significant vacationer roundabout … We’ve lately, within the final hour, seen a really huge, giant, armoured police car cross by, heading in the direction of Mount Buffalo. We’ve additionally seen various police vehicles head right down to a paddock in the direction of the mountains.
It’s very steep, very dense, very mountainous terrain … We nonetheless at the moment have a helicopter circling above a paddock simply throughout the highway from a very talked-about caravan park … into the foothills, which lead into Mount Buffalo …
We even have a variety of tactical help which have are available in … Now we have what seem like undercover law enforcement officials as effectively. We additionally noticed one or two law enforcement officials who had been sporting what regarded like camouflage gear.
Somerville stated hikers had disappeared “for days” within the panorama, who had “needed to be discovered”, so thick was the terrain.
A Victoria Police Air Wing (PolAir) helicopter hovers on the scene of a taking pictures within the excessive nation of Porepunkah in Victoria, Australia, 26 August 2025. Components of the agricultural city, together with a major faculty, had been positioned into lockdown after two law enforcement officials had been reportedly shot useless and a 3rd critically injured. EPA/SIMON DALLINGER {Photograph}: Simon Dallinger/EPAShare
Up to date at 01.59 EDT
Nick Visser
To recap, right here’s what we all know thus far:
The police had been attending a rural property about 300km north-east of Melbourne on Tuesday to serve a warrant.
Two officers have been killed and one other wounded.
Wangaratta police stated there was nonetheless an “energetic incident” and have urged individuals to keep away from the realm.
The native council closed all council services “efficient instantly” and Porepunkah major faculty remained in lockdown.
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, stated the ideas of “all Victorians” had been with the police, saying the response confirmed first responders’ “extraordinary bravery and braveness”.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, stated his ideas had been with the “police for the work they do, every day”. He stated “the women and men who put on the uniform of the police take dangers” for everybody.
The ABC has reported a powerful police presence within the space, with about 50 officers in uniform and plainclothes within the neighborhood. A police canine was additionally reportedly on web site.
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Up to date at 01.10 EDT
Queensland premier sends ‘ideas and prayers’ to Porepunkah
Queensland’s premier, David Crisafulli, has despatched “ideas and prayers” to Victoria police after the affirmation of the deaths of two law enforcement officials.
Posting to X, Crisafulli stated:
The ideas and prayers of Queenslanders are with the Victorian Police household this afternoon. Police face risks each day to maintain us secure. This incident is one other tragic reminder of that. The group of Porepunkah and all these impacted by this tragedy are in our hearts immediately.
Victoria police has once more confirmed that officers proceed to reply to the incident, which stays energetic, and are asking individuals to keep away from the realm.
David Crisafulli. {Photograph}: Darren England/AAPShare
Up to date at 00.56 EDT
What Porepunkah and the Alpine area are like
Presently of 12 months, Victoria’s Excessive Nation is normally house to eager holidaymakers visiting the area for official snow season in resort cities like Falls Creek, Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain.
Vivid, lower than 10km from Porepunkah, is a daily cease for vacationers, well-known for its biking routes, breweries and boutique shops.
Regardless of its small dimension, Porepunkah additionally picks up its share of tourism, a part of the Murray to Mountains rail path and that includes various cellar doorways, produce and picnic choices, in addition to offering a straightforward entry level to the ski city of Mount Buffalo.
However it’s a unique scene immediately, with dozens of officers amassing on the area from Wangaratta and Wodonga.
The location of the incident is near various caravan parks, motels and lodging choices, in addition to the favored Porepunkah Pub.
map exhibiting Porepunkah in VictoriaPorepunkah is positioned round 300km north-east of Melbourne.Share
Up to date at 00.44 EDT
College students at Porepunkah Main Faculty being distracted with films and coding, principal says
Porepunkah Main Faculty remains to be in lockdown as the tip of the college day approaches, its principal has confirmed.
Talking on ABC Melbourne radio, Jill Gillies stated about 90 college students had been being distracted with films, coding and contact typing.
Academics are absolute superstars and I’ve one of the best bunch of employees, they’ve had the children in lockdown since round 11.30 this morning, they’re masters at with the ability to be inventive to seek out enjoyable issues to interact the children and distract.
Our lecturers are wonderful and the children are tremendous resilient.
Gillies stated the college was awaiting path from the police over the size of the lockdown however kids would be capable to stay in a single day if wanted.
Now we have meals and entry to bathrooms and luxury objects … let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Now we have to attend path from the police, we’re actually uncertain at this stage. I simply hold letting our mother and father know that we’re nonetheless in lockdown and I’ll hold them knowledgeable as we get nearer to [the school day ending].
{Photograph}: Simon Dallinger/AAPShare
Up to date at 00.20 EDT
Benita Kolovos
‘We stand with you’: Victorian opposition chief pays tribute to emergency providers
The opposition chief, Brad Battin, has additionally made a press release to parliament. He says his ideas are with all Victorian emergency providers throughout the state:
We all know with an energetic state of affairs up there, it’s not simply the emergency providers, it’s the area people that’s impacted. We hear of lockdowns in faculties.
We ship out our ideas to the households, the mother and father and everybody concerned with these faculties as effectively … We hope there’s a fast decision and extra data comes out as quickly as doable, however to each single Victoria police officer immediately, we stand with you, we stand beside you and we’ll proceed to.
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Up to date at 00.19 EDT
Victorian premier says ‘state of affairs stays energetic’ and praises bravery of police
Benita Kolovos
Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, is starting parliament’s query time with a quick assertion on the Porepunkah taking pictures. She says:
A police operation is at the moment beneath means in Porepunkah in Victoria’s north-east. The police minister and I’ve been briefed by the chief commissioner of the Victoria police and this case stays energetic.
Victoria law enforcement officials and all of our first responders present extraordinary bravery and braveness each single day. They’re one of the best of us.
I do ask the Victorian group, significantly these in that lovely a part of the north-east of our state, to observe the recommendation of Victoria police. Extra data can be offered by Victoria police to the Victorian group because it turns into out there.
It’s value noting Allan has became a black go well with – she was beforehand wearing purple at a press convention this morning.
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Up to date at 00.11 EDT
Australian Federal Police Affiliation stands able to help Victorian officers
The Australian Federal Police Affiliation (AFPA) has individually confirmed that one officer has been wounded and two others are believed, however not confirmed, to be deceased after police executed a warrant at a rural property in Porepunkah.
That is an energetic and unfolding state of affairs, with emergency providers working tirelessly to safe the realm and hold the group secure.
Its president, Alex Caruana, stated the affiliation and its 4,000-plus members stood in solidarity with its Victorian counterparts.
Our members throughout the nation are pondering of Victoria Police and their households immediately.
Policing is harmful and unpredictable work, and what has occurred in Porepunkah is a reminder of the dangers officers face each day in protecting the group secure.
The AFPA is able to help The Police Affiliation Victoria (TPAV) and stands ready if required. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our TPAV and Victoria Police colleagues and their family members as extra particulars emerge.
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Up to date at 00.49 EDT
Victoria’s premier says the state’s ideas are with the police drive, state of affairs stays energetic
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, says the ideas of “all Victorians” are with Victoria police in her first public assertion on the incident.
Posting to X, Allan urged the group to observe the recommendation of Victoria police and keep away from the realm:
A police operation is at the moment underway in Porepunkah, in Victoria’s Northeast. I’ve been briefed by the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police.
This case stays energetic. Victoria Law enforcement officials, and all our first responders, present extraordinary bravery and braveness each single day. They’re one of the best of us – and the ideas of all Victorians are with them immediately. Please observe the recommendation of Victoria Police and keep away from the realm.
Extra data can be offered because it turns into out there.
Jacinta Allan. {Photograph}: Joel Carrett/AAPShare
Up to date at 23.53 EDT
Two officers killed, one wounded in taking pictures
Benita Kolovos
Three sources have confirmed to Guardian Australia that two officers have been killed and one other wounded within the taking pictures at Porepunkah.
None had been authorised to touch upon the incident and just one had been instantly briefed on the incident by police.
Victoria police has declined to touch upon the “energetic” incident” till it’s operationally secure to take action.
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Up to date at 23.41 EDT
Dozens of law enforcement officials in neighborhood of incident, ABC reviews
The Police Affiliation Victoria has launched a press release noting it’s conscious of a “important incident” that has unfolded within the north-eastern a part of the state which is affecting its members.
Now we have despatched important incident help groups to the realm to help and help the impacted members, their households and colleagues.
It comes because the ABC is reporting a powerful police presence of about 50 officers in uniform and plainclothes within the neighborhood of the incident.
An ABC reporter within the space advised the general public broadcaster’s information channel that previously 10 minutes, a big contingent of officers took off on the highway behind them. A canine from a police squad was additionally launched into a close-by paddock.
Media have been directed to a cordoned off space because the state of affairs continues to unfold, the reporter stated:
Once I did communicate to police earlier, they did point out that the heavy police presence had come from throughout the area, as you may think about, to assist out with this unfolding incident. We’re nonetheless seeing police vehicles coming in from the path of Wodonga and Wangaratta as I’m talking to you. I adopted police vehicles the entire means from Wodonga.
The HM5 air ambulance has simply taken off once more and is heading again to Melbourne, whereas a police chopper can also be on the transfer.
{Photograph}: Simon Dallinger/AAPShare
Up to date at 00.58 EDT
