Teen injured after machete attack at Melbourne restaurant triggers panic, attackers flee on foot; probe on

Melbourne Crime: A teenager was rushed to hospital after a masked group armed with machetes attacked a gathering at a restaurant in Melbourne on Friday night (April 17, 2026). The incident sparked panic among patrons, who fled as the attackers struck, leaving the teenager injured.”

According to 9News, apparently 12 people were seated outside a business at Eaton Mall when a large group of unknown offenders wearing balaclavas approached at about 7.45pm.

At least two members of the masked group produced machetes and assaulted the 18-year-old man from Malvern East. He was rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A 16-year-old boy was also attacked but was physically uninjured.


The assailants escaped on foot, and no arrests have been made so far. While the offenders remain unidentified, police believe the incident was targeted and involved individuals known to each other. Authorities added that proactive patrols will be carried out in the area.

Meanwhile, in another incident, a truck driver lost his life in a crash involving multiple vehicles on a major Victorian road on Friday.

It's believed a B-double truck collided with a road-worker's truck before it veered across the median strip, clipped a car, and crashed, as reported by 9News. The B-double truck driver, who was not formally identified at the time of filing of this report, died at the scene, police confirmed overnight.

Two adults and two children were taken to hospital in Wangaratta for treatment and were reported to be in a stable condition, according to Ambulance Victoria.