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Sixteen people are confirmed dead after shooters opened fire on Bondi Beach just after sunset on Sunday where a Hanukkah event was taking place, with NSW Police designating the shooting a terrorist incident.
At a press conference on Sunday evening, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it a “targeted attack on Jewish Australians”.
“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.”
Authorities have confirmed that one of the shooters is among the dead, and a police officer has been killed. The other shooter is in police custody, and police are investigating whether a potential third offender could be involved.
Currently, twenty-nine individuals are receiving medical treatment in the hospital for various injuries, including two police officers.
The authorities have condemned the incident, stating, “Such disgraceful behavior, this senseless violence, and the taking of innocent lives is intolerable in New South Wales.”
NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the shooting as a terrorist incident, citing the timing of the event on the first night of Hanukkah, the types of weapons, and the explosive devices found at the scene.
“Our counter-terrorism command will lead this investigation with investigators from the State Crime Command. No stone will be left unturned,” he said.
While one of the gunmen remains detained by the police, the other lost his life during the chaotic events.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has also vowed a “massive, comprehensive” police and public order response.
At the time of reporting, several improvised explosive devices had been found at the scene, where a rescue bomb disposal unit was attending. The explosives were in a car linked to the deceased offender.
Several people were visibly injured and motionless on the grass at North Bondi, as the scene unfolded.
In another piece of footage, police officers were seen guarding a hunting rifle on the ground, with an exclusion zone established around the area.
A man has been praised for his heroic effort in wrestling a shotgun off one of the shooters.
Video shows the man hiding behind a car from the view of a gunman standing with the gun raised in his hands, on a footpath barely a few metres away. The man disarms the gunman and pushes him away, before the gunman walks towards his fellow shooter, who is on another footbridge.
Multiple videos posted to social media showed the two gunmen earlier standing on a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion, firing shots into a crowd.
The men could be seen firing guns as people screamed and sprinted for cover.
A number of people could be seen lying injured and unmoving on the grass at North Bondi.
Others were being loaded into ambulances on stretchers while onlookers tried to provide support.
Separate footage showed officers standing guard over a hunting rifle lying on the ground with an exclusion zone in place.
‘Our worst fear realised’
Co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, described the incident as “our worst fear realised”.
“It’s a family event, a beautiful event every year,” he told Sky News.
“If this is what we think it is, it is our worst fear realised … if we were targeted, it’s something of a scale none of us could ever imagine.”
Daniel, who is visiting Australia from Brazil, said he saw the two shooters on the bridge before about five police cars arrived.
He and a friend hid while the shots were fired and then they started to run.
“A lot of people on the sand, on the ground, were trying to scream help,” he told ABC News.
“A lot of people on the floor, kids crying, looking for their mum.”
He said it was hard to believe something like this could happen in Australia.
“After today, I don’t feel safe anymore.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the reports and images coming from the scene as “deeply distressing”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his thoughts were with all those affected.
“Australians have had their lives cruelly stolen and many have been injured. For all Australians, our first thoughts are with those in the terrible early hours of their grief.”
“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian will tonight be, like me, devastated by this attack on our way of life.”
Readers seeking crisis support can ring Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25). More information and support with mental health is available at beyondblue.org.au and on 1300 22 4636.
