A 33-year-old Indian-origin man, Saurabh Anand, is recovering from a horrific machete attack that left him with life-threatening injuries, including a severed hand. The assault took place around 7:30 pm outside Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows, when Anand was heading towards his home after purchasing medicine from a pharmacy, as per a report by The Australia Today.
As Anand told The Age, he was on a call with a friend when he suddenly noticed that he was attacked by a group of five teenagers. One punched him continuously, and another checked his pockets, and the third one pulled a machete ( a broad, heavy knife) on his throat. The attackers stabbed him in the back and shoulder, and left him with broken bones, a fractured spine, and intense head injuries. “I was trying to survive,” Anand recollected.
Victims suffer intense injury in teen gang attack
Despite his injuries, Anand somehow managed to come out of the shopping centre and cried for help. The onlooker called for emergency services, and he was sent to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Initially, doctors were considering amputating his left hand, but after conducting hours of complex surgery, surgeons successfully reattached it. “The doctors said my injuries are so serious that they are unsure how this is going to go,” as quoted by The Age.
Teenagers charged, but some of them have been released on bail
As per the latest report, police have arrested four teenagers related to the attack. A 14-year-old from Wyndham has been charged with deliberately causing serious injury, unlawful assault, and robbery. Two 15-year-olds and another 14-year-old from Hobsons Bay were also charged and released on bail. A fifth suspect involved in the crime has not been caught yet. Anand has expressed his distress that some of the accused have been released on bail, stating, “I am seeking justice.”
The attack has drawn attention to a troubling increase in youth violence across Victoria. As per a report by ABC News, Victoria police have been arresting 208 people daily and have seized 6,876 edged weapons this year. A 31% surge has been recorded from the previous year. Recently, the state government has declared a permanent ban on machete possession, and it will be implemented from September 1, 2025.
Anand continues to be hospitalised and is worried about returning home.