Two women have been stabbed to death at a Muslim religious centre in the Portuguese capital Lisbon, police say. The attack took place at the Ismaili Centre on Avenida Lusíada. The suspect, who was in possession of a large knife, was shot in the leg by police.

He was then detained and has been taken to the hospital. The motive for the attack is not yet clear. Police said they received a call at about 11:00 local time after the suspect entered the centre.

Officers asked the suspect to stop the attack, but he disobeyed and was shot. The leader of the Ismaili community Nazim Ahmad said the attacker was Afghan and the two victims were Portuguese women.

A statement on the Ismaili website said the community was “shocked and saddened by this incident and is providing support to the families of the victims”.