11 killed in Sydney beach terror attack

Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach was the scene of a horrific terrorist attack on Sunday as two armed assailants opened fire on a crowd gathered to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, killing at least 11 people and injuring 29 others, including police officers, authorities said.

The attack, which unfolded near the venue of “Chanukah by the Sea” event attended by more than 1,000 people, has been officially declared a terrorist act targeted at Sydney’s Jewish community.

The New South Wales Police said the shooters, clad in dark clothing, fired indiscriminately from a footbridge overlooking the Bondi Park playground and surrounding beach area shortly after 6.45 pm (local time), sending panicked families and beachgoers fleeing amid screams and chaos.

One of the gunmen was shot dead by responding officers, while the second is stated to be in a critical condition. Investigators also reported the discovery and removal of a suspected improvised explosive device linked to the suspects.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of “absolute chaos” as shots rang out for several minutes. Emergency services treated numerous wounded at the scene before transporting them to hospitals across Sydney. Videos shared on social media show people ducking behind tables, fleeing into cafes and trying to shield children as gunfire echoed across the beach.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as an act of “evil antisemitism” designed to strike “at the heart of our nation”. He emphasised that the assault targeted Jewish Australians celebrating their faith and vowed that “there is no place for hate, violence and terrorism in our nation”.

“An act of evil, antisemitism and terrorism has struck the heart of our nation. An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight, like me, is devastated by this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it,” Albanese said.

He added that the authorities were working urgently to identify and apprehend anyone associated with the perpetrators, and pledged that the nation would respond with unity and resolve.

Amid the violence, a bystander’s bravery was widely shared on social media and praised by senior officials. A local man tackled one of the shooters at close quarters and disarmed him, an act the Prime Minister lauded as heroic and life-saving. “We have seen Australians run towards danger to help other Australians. These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives,” Albanese said.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a government meeting in Dimona, accused the Australian government of fuelling antisemitism.

“On August 17, about four months ago, I sent Prime Minister Albanese a letter warning that the Australian government’s policy was promoting and encouraging antisemitism in the country,” Netanyahu said, adding that antisemitism “is like cancer that spreads when leaders stay silent and is cured when leaders act”.

Back home, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the “ghastly terrorist attack”, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and reaffirming India’s zero tolerance towards terrorism. He reiterated India’s solidarity with Australia during this hour of grief.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also condemned the attack in the strongest terms and extended his thoughts to the victims and their families.