VIENNA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Austrian police have identified six suspects believed to have sexually assaulted at least 18 women during new year's celebrations in the city of Innsbruck in west Austria.
Reports of the incidents had come to light in the aftermath of the celebrations in the city center, where about 25,000 people had gathered to see in the new year.
The suspects reportedly surrounded their victims, kissing them and touching them in intimate areas, before slipping away.
The Krone reported Monday that the six men, all Afghan nationals, are aged between 18 and 22 years, were able to be identified through video surveillance footage.
They are all asylum seekers presently living at asylum quarters. Police said they travelled to Austria separately, though all know each other.
The police presence had been strong throughout the evening, though the men were able to carry out their assaults in very crowded areas, allegedly working together for this purpose.
The men admit to being at the scene, though all deny the allegations of sexual assault. Police are reportedly searching for a further two perpetrators.
