Bondi beach terror attack: 12 people killed after gunshots fired at park in Australia hosting Jewish festival | Bondi beach terror attack

At least 12 people have died, including one alleged gunman, following a terrorist attack at Bondi beach, with dozens of gunshots fired at a park hosting a Jewish festival.

The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the “targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukah, which should be a day of joy … [was] an act of evil antisemitism”.

The NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, said late on Sunday night that police were investigating a possible third gunman, confirming the shooting had been declared a terrorist incident. He said police believed they had located several improvised explosive devices in a nearby vehicle shortly after the attack.

“I have also authorized special powers … 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,” Lanyon said.

The co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said: “I think this was very deliberate and very targeted.” Sunday was the first day of Hanukah.

The NSW premier, Chris Minns, told reporters on Sunday night that at about 6.47pm individuals began firing on “a crowded group of families” on Bondi beach at Archer Park.

“This cowardly act of terrifying violence is shocking and painful to see and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney,” Minns said.

“Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight. I can only imagine the pain that they’re feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday.”

Lanyon confirmed the dead included a man believed to be one of at least two gunmen, with the second alleged shooter in a critical condition.

Two police officers were among 29 people transported to various hospitals, including at least one child. Lanyon said the officers’ condition was “serious, verging on critical” and both were in surgery.

The director general of the domestic intelligence agency ASIO, Mike Burgess, said one of the alleged gunmen was known to the agency “but not in an immediate threat perspective”.

He said the agency was investigating the alleged attackers’ identities to see if there was “anyone in the community that has similar intent”, but he said there was “no indication” of that as yet.

The prime minister said he had convened a national security committee as a matter of urgency on Sunday evening.

“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. [It was] an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation,” Albanese said.

“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.”

More than 40 ambulance resources were scrambled to the incident, including helicopter and road units and specialist and intensive care paramedics.

The beach was packed with tourists and locals enjoying what had been a 32C day when the shots began. Olivia Matis told the Guardian she had been out for a run on the promenade when she heard what she thought were fireworks.

“Then I could see people crouching down and then people said: ‘Run’. There were just shots, shots, shots … I ran and just sprinted.” Matiis said she heard about 50 shots.

In a statement shared to X at about 7pm on Sunday, police advised there was a “developing incident” at Bondi and they urged the public to avoid the area.

“Anyone at the scene should take shelter,” NSW police said. “Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand.”

In a statement shared about 40 minutes later, police said two people were in custody.

“However, the police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area,” police said. “Please obey ALL police directions. Do not cross police lines.”

At 8.30pm, a NSW police spokesperson said “there are no more active shooters”.

Footage of the incident was shared online following the shooting.

Video seen by Guardian Australia showed two men in black clothes crossing a bridge at Bondi beach and firing. Twelve shots could be heard. People could be heard screaming and one man shouted “fuck”.

Other footage appeared to show a man tackling an alleged gunman to the ground and disarming him. Minns said it was “the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen”.

“That man is a genunine hero, and I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”

On Sunday evening, police appealed for anyone with mobile phone or dashcam footage to share it with them.

An advertisement for Sunday evening’s event, which started at 5pm local time, stated: “Join Chabad of Bondi for our Annual Chanukah Festival as We Celebrate Jewish Life by lighting up the Iconic Bondi Beach.”

Speaking to 2GB, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said the shooting happened during the event.

Ryvchin, who was not there, said he had spoken to the ECAJ’s director of media, who he said had been injured during the incident.

“Hundreds of people were gathered. It’s a family event,” Ryvchin said on Sunday evening.

“They heard like dozens of popping sounds. And people just started running, running over barricades, grabbing their children. It was mayhem.

“I don’t think this was an attack that just happened to occur at Bondi beach. I think this was very deliberate and very targeted.”

The federal government’s special envoy to combat antisemitism in Australia, Jillian Segal, said the Bondi attack “marks the worst fear of the Australian Jewish community becoming reality”.

“A peaceful Chanukah gathering at Bondi beach was attacked. Images emerging tonight are chilling and echo the horrors Australians hoped they would never see here,” she said in a statement.

“This did not come without warning. In Australia, it began on 9 October 2023 at the Sydney Opera House. We then watched a march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge waving terrorist flags and glorifying extremist leaders. Now death has reached Bondi beach.

“These are Australian icons. Targeting them is deliberate. This is not random. It is an attack on Australia.”

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) executive director, Colin Rubenstein, said: “We are horrified by what has unfolded. Our immediate thoughts are with those killed and injured and their families, and with all those who witnessed this horrendous crime.”

Rubenstein added: “We have warned for years that the unceasing antisemitic vitriol on our streets would evolve into antisemitic violence if left unchecked. We have warned that verbal abuse becomes graffiti, becomes arson, becomes physical violence, becomes murder.”