SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Australia is reeling after gunmen opened fire at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 11 people and injuring dozens more in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. The attack occurred during a public gathering marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, turning a celebration of faith and community into a scene of chaos and devastation.
New South Wales police confirmed that emergency responders rushed 29 injured people from the beach to hospitals across Sydney. Bondi Beach, one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations, was crowded at the time, with locals and visitors enjoying the warm weekend afternoon.
Police said one of the alleged attackers was shot dead at the scene, while a second suspect was taken into custody in critical condition. Authorities later revealed that suspected improvised explosive devices were discovered in a vehicle near the beach, which they believe was linked to the deceased suspect.
The incident was formally declared a “terrorist attack” by law enforcement officials, who described it as a targeted act of violence against Jewish Australians.
Gunmen Target Hanukkah Gathering in Suspected Terrorist Incident
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation in a televised statement, condemning the attack in the strongest terms and describing it as an assault on the values of the entire country.
“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy and celebration,” Albanese said. “This is an act of evil, antisemitism, and terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation. An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.”
The shooting took place during the annual “Hanukkah by the Sea” event, a long-standing community gathering held at Bondi Beach. Witnesses described scenes of panic as gunfire erupted, sending crowds fleeing across the sand and surrounding grassy areas.
Emergency services received the first reports of shots fired at approximately 6:47 pm local time, according to New South Wales police. Within minutes, the area was flooded with police officers, paramedics, and firefighters, as helicopters circled overhead and sirens echoed through the eastern suburbs.
An AFP journalist at the scene reported that the grassy hill overlooking Bondi Beach was strewn with abandoned belongings left behind by people escaping the gunfire. Items included bags, towels, and even a child’s stroller, highlighting the suddenness with which families were forced to flee.
Images broadcast by Australia’s public broadcaster ABC showed paramedics treating multiple victims lying on the grass near the beach. Some appeared critically injured, while others were being stabilized before transport to hospital.
Witnesses gave harrowing accounts of the violence. Camilo Diaz, a 25-year-old student from Chile, told AFP he heard what sounded like sustained gunfire. “It was shocking,” he said. “It felt like 10 minutes of just bang, bang, bang. It seemed like a powerful weapon.”
Another witness, British tourist Timothy Brant-Coles, said he saw “two shooters in black” as the attack unfolded. He described seeing multiple people who had been shot and wounded. “There was a shooting, two shooters in black with semi-automatic rifles,” he said.
Local resident Harry Wilson, speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, said the aftermath was horrifying. “I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere,” he said.
Police confirmed that a weapon believed to be a pump-action shotgun was found near a tree close to the beach. Forensic teams have cordoned off a wide area as investigations continue into the attackers’ motives and possible links to extremist networks.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the shooting as a “cruel attack on Jews” and called on Australian authorities to intensify efforts to combat antisemitism. Jewish community leaders in Australia also expressed shock and grief, urging unity and resilience in the face of hatred.
Bondi Beach’s local authority, Waverley Council, said it was “deeply saddened” by the attack. “Our thoughts and prayers are with anyone who has been impacted by this horrendous act, which occurred as Chanukah festivities were taking place,” a council spokesperson said.
As Sydney mourns the victims, security has been heightened across the city, particularly around religious and community events. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant while emphasizing that there is no ongoing threat.
The attack has left a deep scar on one of Australia’s most recognizable public spaces, transforming a place associated with leisure and celebration into the site of one of the country’s deadliest acts of violence.
Source- EWN
