"Grave fears" that death toll from Melbourne mall rampage could rise to 7

The Premier of Victoria has confirmed that 15 people remain in hospital after a motorist drove his vehicle into crowds of pedestrians in Melbourne's CBD on Friday.

Daniel Andrews, Victoria's Premier, said that of the 15 people who are in hospital, two are in a critical condition.

"We have grave fears for their health and wellbeing," Andrews told reporters on Monday.

Five people have died as a result of the incident, which occurred when Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, allegedly drove his car into the pedestrian-only section of the Bourke Street mall, ploughing into dozens of people.

"What occurred on Friday is not only a cause of great sadness, but it is a cause of legitimate and, I think, profound anger. All of us feel it," Andrews said.

Gargasoulas, who allegedly stabbed his brother at 2 a.m. on Friday morning local time, was out on bail at the time of the incident after being charged with family violence-related offences

He remains in hospital after being shot by police as the chase came to an end with Victoria Police still waiting to formally interview and charge him.

Included in the dead are a three-month-old baby boy, 10-year-old Thalia Hakin, 22-year-old Jess Muddie, 33-year-old Matthew Si and an unidentified fifth victim.

Si's wife, Melinda, said she was eating lunch with her husband just minutes before he was killed.

She said she was "shattered" but thankful to those who tried to save her husband.

"Matt was a devoted husband and a loving father, brother and son," Mrs Si said.

"The family would like to thank everyone who helped Matt at the scene and did their best to save him."

Mudie, 22, was a consultant for an insurance company visiting from Sydney for work.

Her family remembered her as a "bright bubble of joy" who had "extravagant humour."

Malcolm Turnbull, Australia's Prime Minister (PM), said on Monday that the incident highlighted Australia's need to pay more attention to mental health.

"Speaking with [police commissioner] Graham Ashton yesterday, he made the point that now, a very, very large percentage of the cases police deal with on the streets involve people who have that combination of mental illness exacerbated or made worse by drugs and alcohol. It is a big and growing problem," Turnbull told Melbourne radio station Triple M on Monday.

Leader of Victoria's Opposition, Matthew Guy, on Monday announced his three-point plan to reform Victoria's bail system, including a presumption of remand for those charged with violent offences.

source: Xinhua