Hundreds of people on Saturday were evacuated from a shopping mall in Sydney, Australia after a suspected stabbing.

A police operation is underway at the busy mall near Bondi Beach after the suspected stabbing on Saturday afternoon, according to the news site.

Two witnesses told Reuters they heard shots fired.

One of the witnesses said they saw a woman lying on the ground before sheltering in a jewelry store.

New South Wales state police said a police operation was underway but did not provide further details.

Several posts on social media showed crowds fleeing the mall and police cars and emergency services rushing to the area.