‘Devastating’: At least 11 killed in shooting at Jewish festival in Sydney

Two gunmen have attacked a Jewish festival at Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach, killing at least 11 people and wounding dozens, according to Australian authorities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the “devastating” mass shooting on Sunday, which police are calling a “terrorist” incident, was “a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah”.

“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,” Albanese added.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said at least 29 people were wounded in the shooting that sent shock waves across Australia.

One of the alleged shooters was killed, while the second suspect was taken into custody and was in a critical condition, Lanyon said. Police found an improvised explosive device in a car linked to the deceased suspect in the shooting.

‘Just bang, bang, bang’

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that a “Chanukah by the Sea” event had begun at a playground near the northern end of the beach when the attack occurred at 6:47pm (07:47 GMT) near the Bondi Pavilion.

More than 1,000 people had gathered at the event, according to police.

ABC spoke to a witness who described seeing two black-clad armed men standing on a bridge, shooting at crowds who had gathered for the event.

Camilo Diaz, a 25-year-old student from Chile, recounted hearing a long series of gunshots as the attack unfolded.

“It was shocking. It felt like 10 minutes of just bang, bang, bang,” he told the AFP news agency at the scene, adding: “It seemed like a powerful weapon.”

Dramatic footage aired by Al Jazeera showed a bystander in a car park tackling one of the suspects and snatching his gun. The video then shows the suspect losing his footing and backing away towards a bridge where another shooter was located, while the bystander – identified by local media as 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed – places the gun down on the ground.

Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales state, where Sydney is located, said it was the “most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen”.

“A man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people.”

“That man is a genuine hero, and I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”

Hanukkah event targeted

Australian opposition leader Sussan Ley expressed her grief, condemning what she called “hateful violence” that had struck “as our Jewish community came together”.

“This was a celebration of peace and hope for the future, severed by hate,” she said.

“Those who ran towards the danger, everyday Australians, our police and paramedics are heroes.”

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is “horrified” by the “heinous” shooting.

“I am horrified and condemn today’s heinous deadly attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hanukkah,” he posted on X.

Countries around the world, including Britain, Italy, Iran, Qatar and the United States, also denounced the attack.

Speaking at an event in Jerusalem, Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the “cruel” shooting.

“Our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Hanukkah,” Herzog said at an event at his residence.

“We repeat our alerts time and again to the Australian government to seek action and fight against the enormous wave of anti-Semitism which is plaguing Australian society,” he said.

A leading Australian Islamic organisation condemned the Bondi Beach shooting as a “horrific” act of violence.

“Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack,” the Australian National Imams Council said in a statement.

“This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity,” it added.

Nation stunned

Reporting from Sydney, journalist Danielle Robertson said the attack has stunned Australia.

Gun violence in crowded public spaces is rare in Australia, particularly in an area like Bondi Beach, which is heavily policed, she said.

After the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 in Tasmania, Australia introduced strict national gun laws, and since then has largely avoided mass public shootings.

Robertson said police officers were lining the streets around Bondi Beach, and officers were patrolling on foot, urging people to leave, stay clear and return home.

Political analyst Mark Kenny described Albanese’s address after the attack as one of his most direct and determined public statements.

“We saw there a very resolute Australian prime minister determined to reassure the community, reassure the Jewish community, but also the broader community about the need for social cohesion in Australia and the government’s determination to hunt down anyone involved in this,” Kenny said.