10 people, including one individual believed to be a gunman, were killed in a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening after dozens of gunshots were fired in a crowded public area, New South Wales police confirmed.
Authorities said nine civilians and one suspected shooter died in the incident. A second alleged gunman was taken into custody in critical condition. At least 11 other people were injured, including two police officers who responded to the scene.
The shooting occurred during a Jewish community event being held at the beach to mark the beginning of Hanukkah. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the attack appeared intentional and targeted.
“I don’t believe this was random,” Ryvchin said. “This was very deliberate and very targeted.”
Two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah party in Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia.
Two people were taken into police custody shortly after the event, local law enforcement confirmed.
At least 10 casualties have been reported thus far.
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NSW Police said officers were first called to Campbell Parade at approximately 6:45 p.m. after receiving multiple reports of shots fired. An exclusion zone was immediately established as police, emergency services, and specialist units flooded the area.
Police confirmed that a man believed to be one of the shooters was among those killed. The second suspected gunman was apprehended and remains in critical condition. Investigators also located several suspicious items in the vicinity, which are now being examined by specialist officers. Authorities said there were no reports of related incidents elsewhere in Sydney.
NSW Ambulance confirmed that, in addition to the 10 fatalities, paramedics treated numerous patients at the scene. Eighteen people were transported to hospitals across Sydney, while others received treatment for gunshot wounds on-site.
Six patients were taken to St Vincent’s Hospital, three to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, three to St George Hospital, two each to Royal North Shore Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital, one to Westmead Hospital, and one to Sydney Children’s Hospital. Ambulance officials declined to comment on the severity of injuries, citing patient privacy.
More than 40 ambulance units were deployed, including helicopters, intensive care paramedics, and specialist response teams.
Police issued a public warning shortly after 7 p.m., describing the situation as a “developing incident” and urging people to avoid the Bondi area. Those already at the scene were instructed to take shelter and follow police directions.
About 40 minutes later, NSW Police announced that two people were in custody but stressed that the operation was still ongoing. Members of the public were warned not to cross police lines and to comply fully with emergency instructions.
By 8:30 p.m., police confirmed there were no longer any active shooters.
Video footage reviewed by Guardian Australia showed two men dressed in black crossing a bridge near Bondi Beach while firing weapons. At least 12 gunshots could be heard, followed by screams as people fled the area. One man was heard shouting an expletive as chaos erupted.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the scenes as “shocking and distressing” and confirmed that the national security committee of the federal cabinet met on Sunday evening in response to the attack. Albanese said he had spoken with Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett and NSW Premier Chris Minns.
“Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives,” Albanese said. “My thoughts are with every person affected by this horrific event.”
Premier Minns echoed those sentiments, calling the reports and images from Bondi “deeply distressing.” He urged the public to follow official advice and said authorities would provide updates as more information became available.
Sunday marked the first day of Hanukkah, and an event organized by Chabad of Bondi had been advertised to begin at 5 p.m. under the theme of celebrating Jewish life at Bondi Beach.
Ryvchin told radio station 2GB that the shooting occurred during the festival, which had drawn hundreds of families to the beach. He said he had spoken with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s media director, who was injured in the attack.
“It was a family event,” Ryvchin said. “People heard dozens of popping sounds. Then everyone started running, jumping barricades, grabbing their children. It was absolute mayhem.”
He reiterated his belief that the timing and location of the attack suggested it was not coincidental, but deliberately aimed at the gathering.
