Six people were stabbed to death and seven are in hospital following an attack at a Bondi Junction shopping centre on Saturday afternoon.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned against speculation about the motive for the brutal killings at a Sydney shopping centre.

Albanese has described the fatal stabbing attacks at Sydney’s Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre as beyond words and understanding.

“This was a horrific act of violence, indiscriminately targeted at innocent people going about an ordinary Saturday doing their shopping,” he said.

“Our nation offers our deepest condolences and sympathies. For all those who are grieving for someone they have lost, we send our strength to those who have been injured.”

Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said around 3.10pm a man walked into a restaurant at Bondi Junction, he left the centre and then returned about 3.20pm.

“As he moved to the centre, he engaged with about nine people, and it’s clear that during that engagement he caused harm to those people, we believe by stabbing them with a weapon he was carrying.”

Police said the killer was a 40-year-old man, and that the investigation so far is not indicating any links to terrorism.

“We’re waiting to confirm his identification,’‘ Ms Webb said.

“And if in fact it is the person that we believe it is, then we don’t have fears for that person holding an ideation. In other words, a terrorism incident.

“He’s known to law enforcement.”