A person has died after being assaulted on an Auckland bus this afternoon.
Emergency services, including Hato Hone St John, responded to the Church St, Onehunga, incident about 2.30pm.
The Herald understands the victim suffered multiple stab wounds.
A police spokesperson said one person was transported to hospital in a critical condition after being “seriously injured in an assault on board a bus”.
In an update shortly before 6pm, police confirmed the person had died. They said the victim was a passenger on the bus.
“Police are making urgent inquiries to locate the offender who has been identified through CCTV footage.”
Speaking from the scene, police inspector Danny Meade told the Herald one person had left the scene following the incident.
“We’re working incredibly hard to try to locate this offender somewhere in the local area, we think.”
Meade said police had no information that would indicate any ongoing risk to the community.
“We’re following all lines of inquiry to try to apprehend this offender.
“Auckland is a very safe city, this is a very rare event.”
He said police had conducted preliminary examinations of the bus, which would be towed to a secure facility for a full examination on Thursday.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell took to social media on Wednesday night, calling the incident a “senseless homicide”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim... on a bus today in Auckland,” Mitchell said.
“Police continue to urgently search for the offender who they have identified. This gratuitous violence has no place in our communities.”
Auckland Transport’s director of public transport and active modes Stacey van der Putten said it was helping police after a “serious incident” on board a No 74 bus service in Onehunga this afternoon.
“We are working with our bus operator to provide support to the bus driver who witnessed this incident as well as our other customers who were on board at the time.
“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and bus drivers is our top priority and we are working with police and our bus operator to fully understand this afternoon’s incident,” van der Putten said.
She said passengers travelling on AT buses, trains and ferry services deserved to be safe and feel safe.
“We are committed to working with our partner agencies and communities to turn the tide on violence and aggression in our public spaces.”
Parts of Captain Springs Rd and Church Rd, Onehunga, that were earlier closed have since reopened.
Motorists were asked to avoid the area and expect delays.
The Police Eagle helicopter was earlier seen circling the area.
Armed police were actively searching for the alleged offender at addresses on Church St, Victoria St and Spring St, Onehunga.
His ratings have probably improved since the CCO reforms, says the mayor.