The Islamic State's Amaq News Agency has issued a statement through regular social media channels formally claiming responsibility for the overnight car explosion and knife attack in the Central Business District of Melbourne, Australia.

In this incident, the attacker is of Somali origin and the sport utility vehicle was filled with fuel canisters. After crashing the vehicle and igniting the fuel, the attacker rushed civilians and police while slashing with a knife. He was ultimately put down with a single shot to the chest.

A short video of the incident can be seen here:

Foreign media sources indicate the attacker was known to police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

One person was killed and several others injured in the incident. The attacker is hospitalized.

Translated into English, the formal claim of responsibility reads as follows:

"A security source told Amaq news agency: The executor of the hit and run and stabbing in Melbourne, South East Australia is one of the fighters of the Islamic State and executed the operation in response to the targeting of nationals of coalition countries."

A second graphic has also been released through the same social media channels. The calligraphic logo in the lower right is a common branding used by the Islamic State.