A significant security breach occurred during an Australian Football League game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where two individuals reportedly brought firearms to the venue on Thursday evening.
The two suspects managed to access the site with weapons for the match between Carlton and Collingwood, attended by over 82,000 spectators, until authorities discovered the firearm concealed in their pants. As reported by news.com.au.
The individuals were named as 21-year-old Omar Salam and 27-year-old Mohammad Nouri. According to ABC News Australia.
The duo allegedly became disruptive and declined to leave later in the game, prompting security at the stadium to call the police, which led to the discovery of the guns.
During the search of the two suspects, two guns were recovered, one of which was loaded.
No injuries have been reported, but police presence was heightened following the match.
The two individuals face charges for firearm offenses related to possessing a loaded firearm.
Salam appeared in court on Friday and remains in custody until April 16, while Nouri is expected to have a court appearance on Friday, according to ABC News.
The motives behind why the two men carried weapons to the match remain unclear, but Victoria police have stated that the incident is not regarded as a terrorist act.
This major security breach triggered a swift response. Stuart Fox, CEO of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), expressed his “deep disappointment and distress” regarding the incident, stating to the media, “we are advocating for investment in new technology to ensure community safety.”
“Our security screening unit overlooked concerning items, warranting further investigation. The initial internal review pinpointed a failure in the thoroughness of the secondary and manual screening processes,” Fox elaborated in a statement. “Consequently, we are enhancing our secondary manual security measures, which may result in minor delays for patrons at future events.”
“We will maintain close collaboration with Victoria Police, AFL, and our security vendors while implementing security protocols at the MCG.”
Victorian Prime Minister Jacinta Alan requested a review of the venue’s security from ABC News Australia, expressing that the incident was a significant “concern” for her.
“I hope for a comprehensive examination of what occurred, how it was communicated to the Victorian community, and what actions need to be implemented,” Alan remarked.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground had received a security upgrade before the 2024 season, including the addition of AI-driven scanners.
This upgrade aimed to improve the efficiency of the screening process for fans entering the venue.
