Death toll climbs to 16 in Bondi Beach terror attack that 'targeted Jewish community'

LAST UPDATE | 11 hrs ago

SIXTEEN PEOPLE HAVE been killed in a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, in what has been described as a “terrorist attack”.

One shooter was also killed, although it is not clear whether his death is being counted amongst the 16 at present.

Another 40 people were rushed to hospital following the incident, including two police officers.

The shooting targeted Sydney’s Jewish community during the first night of the festival of Hanukkah, according to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.

“I very sadly need to report that, as of now, there are at least 12 individuals that have been killed,” Minns told a press conference earlier today, before the updated death toll.

“One of the offenders has also been killed and one is in custody.

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.

One of the gunmen has been named as Naveed Akram.

One of the victims was British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, his family has confirmed. No Irish people are known to have been injured in the attack, Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said.

In a televised address, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: 

“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith – an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.”

An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.

 Police said the the shooting was a “terrorist” incident.

“As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight at 9.36 pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident,” New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a news conference.

Minister Helen McEntee expressed her “shock and horror” at what she called an antisemitic attack, and said the department was not aware of any Irish citizens impacted directly by the shooting.

“I want to express my shock and horror at the antisemitic attack on a Jewish community celebrating first day of Hanukkah which took place at Bondi Beach in Sydney over recent hours,” McEntee said in a statement.

All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia. At this point, we are not aware of any Irish citizens who have been impacted directly by these awful events. Our Consulate in Sydney is continuing to monitor events and will remain in close contact with Irish citizens and the community locally.

The incident

Emergency services were called to Campbell Parade about 6.45pm (7.45am Irish time), responding to reports of shots being fired. Police said that a number of suspicious items located in the area are being examined by specialist officers and an exclusion zone is in place.

They also said they had found an “improvised explosive device” in a car linked to one of the suspects in the shooting.

“A multi-agency response is continuing,” they said in a statement.

An extensive crime scene has been established and inquiries are now underway. There have been NO reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to this incident.  

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An annual “Chanukah by the Sea” gathering marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah was planned at the beach Sunday afternoon. Taoiseach Michéal Martin posted on social media that he was “shocked and appalled” by the attack.

“Shocked and appalled by the gun attack that left ten people dead at Sydney’s Bondi Beach,” the Taoiseach posted on X.

Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time. Such hate and violence can never be tolerated.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said

“Horrified by the gun attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach this morning.

Our thoughts are with all those impacted and their families, with the people of Australia and the Jewish community during this time of profound pain. The spectre of hate and violence must never be tolerated.

Commenting further, Minns extended his sympathies to Australia’s Jewish community:

“Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight,” he said.

“I can only imagine the pain that they’re feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday.

It’s a responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australia’s Jewish community and help them get through this incredibly difficult period.

One witness, Camilo Diaz, a 25-year-old student from Chile, told AFP at the scene:

“We heard the shots. It was shocking, it felt like 10 minutes of just bang, bang, bang. It seemed like a powerful weapon.”

Crowds fled in fear from the beach in eastern Sydney, which draws huge numbers of surfers, swimmers and tourists, especially at weekends. It is very popular with Irish people living in and visiting the city.

Social media footage

Footage posted on social media and shared widely appears to show a man tackling another man with a gun, before wrestling the weapon away from him.

The gunman then backs away as the person who grabbed him points the shotgun at him in a car park. The man who intervened, wearing a white T-shirt, is then seen raising his hand before resting the gun against a tree.

A British tourist told AFP he saw “two shooters in black” after gunfire broke out Sunday at Australia’s famed Bondi Beach, with officials reporting two people in detention and multiple injuries.

“There was a shooting, two shooters in black with semi-automatic rifles,” Timothy Brant-Coles told AFP from the Sydney tourist hotspot, reporting multiple people had been shot and wounded.

Commenting on the incident, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said:

“The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected.

I just have spoken to the AFP Commissioner and the NSW Premier. We are working with NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed.

I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police.

Bondi Beach is popular with tourists and expats.

With reporting from PA and AFP

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