LATEST: At least 12 people dead in shooting incident at Bondi Beach
Two individuals armed with guns opened fire on a crowd in the Archer Park area of Bondi Beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, New South Wales Police said. Picture: AP Photo/Mark Baker
At least 12 people have been killed and 29 injured in a terrorist attack targeting a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australian police have said.
Two individuals armed with guns opened fire on a crowd in the Archer Park area of Bondi Beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, New South Wales Police said.
The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to the beach on the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, the force confirmed.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told a press conference: “At approximately 6.47 this evening, two individuals began firing on crowded a group of families on Bondi Beach at Archer Park.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, what should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.”
Mr Minns confirmed one of the alleged gunmen has been killed while the other is in police custody.
“Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight,” he added.
“I can only imagine the pain that they’re feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday.
“It’s a responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australia’s Jewish community and help them get through this incredibly difficult period.”
Praising the actions of police and members of the public, Mr Minns told the press conference: “Tonight, saw extraordinary acts of personal courage and bravery from individuals in our community.
“And I think it’s worth remembering that in all of this evil, in all of this sadness, there are still wonderful, brave Australians that are prepared to risk their lives to help a complete stranger.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs is “not aware” of any citizens who have been “impacted directly” the gun attack on Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
In a statement on Sunday morning, Helen McEntee said: “Our consulate in Sydney is continuing to monitor events and will remain in close contact with Irish citizens and the community locally.”
The Minister for Foreign Affairs said she was in “shock and horror” at the antisemitic attack on a Jewish community celebrating the first day of their Hanukkah festival of lights.
She added: “All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia.”
Micheá Martin said: “Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time.
“Such hate and violence can never be tolerated.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was “horrified” by the incident.
In a social media post he said: “Our thoughts are with all those impacted and their families, with the people of Australia and the Jewish community during this time of profound pain.
“The spectre of hate and violence must never be tolerated.”
Malcolm Lanyon, the commissioner of New South Wales Police said 29 people have been transported to various hospitals around the Sydney area, including two police officers.
“The condition of those officers and the others transported are serious, but there is a range of conditions,” Mr Lanyon said.
“Our thoughts, prayers and love go to all the families and all of those that were involved tonight.
“We know that there were many people there to celebrate a happy occasion, the celebration of Hanukkah, and there was well over a thousand people there when this took place.
“As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight, at 9.36pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident.
“I have also authorised special powers under section Five and section six to ensure that if there is a third offender, and we are currently investigating, that at the moment, we will make sure that we prevent any further activity.
“I’m incredibly proud of the professionalism of our police and emergency service responders.
“We will focus to ensure that there is no further threat to the public.”
Mr Lanyon said that “several improvised explosive devices” have been found in a car at Bondi Beach linked to the deceased gunman.
He said: “Shortly after the shooting occurred, police located a vehicle in Campbell Parade at Bondi, which we believe has several improvised explosive devices.
“We have our rescue bomb disposal unit there at the moment working on that.” Mr Lanyon added that the deceased offender had been known to the authorities, but there had been no “specific threat”.
He said: “What I said is that we are aware of the person. That does not mean there was any specific threat posed by that person.
“If the police had had intelligence there was a risk to the community or to this event, we would have taken significant action.” Mr Lanyon has asked for calm to return to the communities affected following the shooting.
“This is a time where I want to make sure that there is no retribution.
“The police are investigating thoroughly. Allow the police to do our job.
“We will work closely with community, and I will continue to provide updates about the investigation as they go on.” Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, also spoke at the conference in Canberra.
He said the Bondi Beach attack was “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism”.
“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,” he said.
“An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated on this attack on our way of life.
“There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it.
“Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith at this dark moment for our nation.
“Our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage.”
Ten people have died following a shooting incident at a popular beach in Sydney, Australia, police have confirmed.
New South Wales Police warned the public on Sunday that two people with guns had reportedly opened fire on people at Bondi Beach.
Ten people were confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the gunmen, the force said.
The second alleged gunman is in critical condition, police added.
People were advised to avoid the area and take shelter as police responded.
“At this time, a further 11 people are reported to be injured, two of which are police officers,” NSW police said in a statement on X.
Ambulance crews treated multiple patients at the scene in Sydney, according to a spokeswoman for New South Wales Ambulance.
She said: “We were called to the scene around 6.45pm to reports of multiple people shot at Bondi Beach.
“We have got more than 40 resources there including helicopter and road crews and have treated multiple patients at the scene.
“We have so far transported 13 patients to various hospitals in Sydney.”
A Jewish Hanukkah celebration had reportedly started in the area of the shooting, according to ABC News, although there has been no official confirmation that this event was a target.
Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day festival of light.
Bondi Beach is popular with tourists and expats.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing.
“I just have spoken to the AFP commissioner and the NSW premier.
“We are working with NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed.
“I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police.”
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