Gunmen Kill 11 During Jewish Event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach

AFP/APP

Sydney: Two gunmen opened fire at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 11 people and wounding multiple others in what police described as a “terrorist incident” during a gathering marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

New South Wales police said emergency responders rushed 29 injured people to various hospitals from the beach, one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations.

One of the alleged attackers was killed, while the second was taken into custody in critical condition, police said.

Authorities declared the shooting a terrorist incident and said suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found in a vehicle near the beach linked to the deceased attacker.

“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,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a televised address.

“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.”

The shooting occurred during the annual “Hanukkah by the Sea” event held Sunday afternoon at Bondi Beach.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the incident as a “cruel attack on Jews” and urged Australian authorities to intensify efforts to combat antisemitism.

Crowds fled the area in panic as gunfire erupted at the busy eastern Sydney beach, which attracts large numbers of surfers, swimmers, and tourists, especially on weekends.

“We heard the shots. It was shocking. It felt like 10 minutes of just bang, bang, bang,” said Camilo Diaz, a 25-year-old student from Chile. “It sounded like a powerful weapon.”

Police said emergency services first received reports of shots fired at 6:47 p.m. (0747 GMT).

‘Blood Everywhere’

One witness, who declined to be named, said he saw six dead or wounded people lying on the beach.

An AFP journalist reported that a grassy hill overlooking Bondi Beach was littered with abandoned belongings, including a children’s stroller, as people fled in haste.

Television footage broadcast by public broadcaster ABC showed paramedics attending to multiple victims lying on the grass near the shoreline.

A weapon resembling a pump-action shotgun was seen lying near a tree on the beach.

British tourist Timothy Brant-Coles told AFP he saw “two shooters in black with semi-automatic rifles” and multiple wounded victims.

Another witness, 30-year-old local resident Harry Wilson, told the Sydney Morning Herald he saw “at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere.”

Waverley Council, the local authority for Bondi Beach, said it was “deeply saddened” by the attack.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this horrendous act, which occurred as Chanukah festivities were taking place,” a council spokesperson said.