What we know so far about mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach
At least 12 people have been killed after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Here is what we know so far about what happened.
How many people were killed or injured?
In addition to 12 fatalities, at least 29 people have been injured, including a child and two police officers.
A man believed to be one of the gunmen was killed and another suspect is in custody in a critical condition.
How did the shooting unfold?
Police were called at about 6.47pm on Sunday (7.47am UK time), as they responded to reports of shots being fired at Archer Park, Bondi Beach.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said two individuals fired on a “crowded group of families” at the park in a “cowardly act of terrifying violence”.
Officers have declared it a “terrorist incident”.
One video shows two gunmen appearing to open fire from a small bridge overlooking the beach.
Another video shows large crowds of people on the beach running away as they fled the scene.
Attack ‘targeted Jewish people’
More than 1,000 people had been attending an event at Bondi Beach celebrating the Jewish holy festival of Hanukkah at the time of the shooting, police said.
Mr Minns said: “This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah.
“What should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.”
The leader of Australia’s opposition Sussan Ley said the attack took place as “our Jewish community came together at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration”.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Jewish people who had gone to light the first candle of the Hanukkah holiday on the beach had been attacked by “vile terrorists”.
People and emergency workers after the incident on Bondi Beach. Pic: AP/Mark Baker
What have witnesses said?
Witnesses have described the terror and confusion as masses of people fled the beach.
“Thousands of people just like running. And I opened up the back gate to my friend’s cafe and just let everyone in,” one witness told 9News.
“Pregnant women, women with kids, just everyone’s running and just running.
“Like the whole it was just panic. It was pandemonium.”
Harry Wilson, who witnessed the shooting, told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere.”
Another witness, called Phil, told 9News: “We just heard what sounded like fireworks. The beach was absolutely packed. And then there were a lot of fireworks going off.
“Then suddenly we saw thousands of people just running this way. So we all just went inside, holed up in the toilets.
“I’ve got a friend that’s holed up in a basement now. Everybody went inside.”
Phil said he soon realised the sounds of fireworks were “more than that”.
“We’re a bit shaken,” he added.
‘Suspicious items located’
Police said their operation was “ongoing” and a “number of suspicious items located in the vicinity” were being examined by specialist officers. An exclusion zone was in place, they added.
They later said a police bomb disposal unit was working on several suspected improvised explosive devices.
How have politicians reacted?
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the scenes in Bondi were “shocking and distressing”.
He said in a statement: “Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives.
“My thoughts are with every person affected.”
Opposition leader Sussan Ley said: “The loss of life from this attack is significant and I join with the prime minister in urging all Australians to follow official advice from police and relevant authorities.”
