Bondi Beach shooting: At least 16 killed in terror attack on Australia's Jewish community

At least 16 people have been killed in a terror attack on Bondi Beach as more than a thousand people gathered to mark the first day of Hanukkah.

Two men opened fire in the attack at the tourist hotspot, with video from the scene showing people running for their lives amid the sound of gunfire.

At least 16 people, including a 12-year-old child, have died, while three children are being treated in hospital, New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said. Police said 40 people remain in hospital.

It is not yet clear whether the alleged gunmen, one of whom has been confirmed dead, are included in the figures.

London-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger has been named as one of those who died.

Follow live: 11 people killed in shooting

It is the worst mass shooting in Australia for nearly 30 years.

One of the suspected gunmen has been identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram, whose driver's licence says he lives in Bonnyrigg, a suburb of Sydney. It is unclear if he has been killed.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the terror incident at the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration was devastating and a targeted attack on Jewish Australians.

"The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone's worst nightmare," he said.

"We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives."

Speaking to his nation's Jewish population, Mr Albanese promised to dedicate every resource required to make sure they are protected.

Australia, a country of 28 million people, is home to about 117,000 Jews. Antisemitic incidents including assaults, vandalism, threats and intimidation more than tripled in the country during the year after Hamas attack on Israel.

Rabbi Levi Wolff, of Central Synagogue Sydney, said he rushed to the scene when he was told about the shooting.

"We are on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, and there was about to be a public menorah lighting," he told Sky News.

"And the gunmen were just shooting at those who were there present for the menorah lighting."

He called on the global Jewish community to light their candles tonight "for those who were killed".

One Israeli citizen is among the dead, according to Israel's foreign ministry.

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What we know so far about Bondi Beach shooting

What happened at Bondi Beach?

Emergency services were called to Campbell Parade around 6.45pm local time after reports of shots being fired.

Two men opened fire in the attack on the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration, where more than a thousand people had gathered to mark the start of the Jewish holiday.

Dramatic footage apparently filmed by a member of the public showed a man, named by a relative as 43-year-old shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, disarming one of the gunman, before pointing the man's weapon at him.

Authorities said the men are thought to have been wielding long guns of some description, but did not provide further detail.

A number of suspicious items located in the vicinity were being examined by specialist officers, and an exclusion zone is in place, police say.

Officers are investigating whether there was a third offender.

Eyewitnesses describe blood and chaos

One of the world's most famous beaches, Bondi is typically crowded with locals and tourists, especially on warm weekend evenings. It is currently summer in Australia.

"I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere," 30-year-old local Harry Wilson, who witnessed the shooting, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Lachlan Moran, 32, from Melbourne, was waiting for his family nearby when he heard shots. He dropped the beer he was carrying for his brother and ran.

He said: "You heard a few pops, and I freaked out and ran away... I started sprinting. I just had that intuition. I sprinted as quickly as I could," he said. He said he heard shooting off and on for about five minutes.

(c) Sky News 2025: Bondi Beach shooting: At least 16 killed in terror attack on Australia's Jewish community