At least 12 people have died, including one alleged gunman, following a mass shooting at Bondi beach, during which dozens of gunshots were fired at a park hosting a Jewish festival.
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 vehicle near the shooting shortly after the incident.
“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.”
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 the Jewish festival Hanukah.
Bondi beach
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.
Police said they had located “a number of suspicious items” in the vicinity, which were being examined by specialist officers.
“An exclusion zone is in place,” they said. Police said there were no reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to the Bondi shooting.
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. On Sunday evening, police appealed for anyone with mobile phone or dashcam footage to share it with them.
In a statement, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said “the scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing”. The national security committee of federal cabinet met on Sunday evening.
Albanese said he had spoken with the AFP commissioner, Krissy Barrett, and the NSW premier, Chris Minns.
“Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected,” the PM said.
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 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.”
