Ten people, including a man believed to be one of the gunmen, have died following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening. Witnesses reported dozens of gunshots fired as crowds gathered for a Jewish festival at the popular Sydney location.
New South Wales police confirmed nine victims and one suspected gunman were among the dead. Eighteen others were taken to hospital with gunshot injuries, while several more were treated at the scene.
The incident unfolded shortly after 6.45pm, when NSW Ambulance received reports of multiple people being shot. Twenty-five units, including helicopters and intensive care teams, were dispatched to the area. Four patients were taken to St Vincent’s Hospital, one to Royal Prince Alfred, and another to St George.
Police issued urgent warnings on social media, advising the public to avoid Bondi and for those present to take shelter. At 7pm, officers described the situation as a “developing incident”. By 7.40pm, two people were in custody, though police stressed the operation was ongoing. At 8.30pm, a spokesperson confirmed there were “no more active shooters”.
Footage obtained by Guardian Australia showed two men dressed in black crossing a bridge at Bondi Beach and opening fire. Twelve shots were audible in the video, accompanied by screams from the crowd.
The attack coincided with the first night of Hanukkah. Hundreds of families had gathered for the annual Chabad of Bondi festival, which advertised the lighting of a menorah on the beach. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the timing suggested the shooting was “very deliberate and very targeted”. He confirmed the organisation’s director of media was injured in the incident.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the scenes as “shocking and distressing” and said he had spoken with AFP commissioner Krissy Barrett and NSW premier Chris Minns. “Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected,” he said.
Minns called the reports “deeply distressing” and urged the public to follow official advice. “Police and emergency services are responding and the public should follow official advice. We will update the public as soon as more information becomes available,” he said.
Witnesses described chaos as families fled the area. “They heard dozens of popping sounds. People just started running, climbing over barricades, grabbing their children. It was mayhem,” Ryvchin told 2GB radio.
The investigation continues as police work to establish the motive behind the attack.
