At least 11 people were killed and 29 others wounded on Sunday evening after two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish community event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Australian authorities said, declaring the incident a terrorist attack.
One of the attackers was fatally shot by police at the scene, while the second suspect was arrested and was in critical condition, according to authorities. Two police officers were among those injured.
The shooting occurred during an event known as Chanukah by the Sea, which had drawn hundreds of people to Bondi Beach to mark the start of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the attack was classified as terrorism based on the nature of the target and the weapons used.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told reporters. “Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight. I can only imagine the pain they’re feeling as they mourn loved ones killed while celebrating an ancient holiday.”
Emergency services were called to Campbell Parade at about 6:45 p.m. local time following reports of shots fired. A large-scale police and medical response followed, with ambulances transporting injured victims to nearby hospitals as authorities warned the death toll could change.
Police said their operation remained ongoing, with specialist officers examining a number of suspicious items found near the scene. An improvised explosive device was discovered in one of the suspect’s vehicles.
Dramatic footage broadcast by Australian television stations appeared to show a member of the public tackling and disarming one of the gunmen before pointing the weapon at him.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as shots rang out.
“You heard a few pops, and I freaked out and ran away,” said Lachlan Moran, 32, who was waiting nearby for family members. “Everyone just dropped all their possessions and ran. People were crying. It was horrible.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was deeply disturbed by the attack.
“The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing,” Albanese said in a statement. “Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives.”
Mass shootings are rare in Australia, where strict gun control laws were introduced following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre that killed 35 people. Authorities said Sunday’s attack was among the deadliest acts of mass violence in the country in decades.
Source: The Associated Press
