‘I live in Bondi – yesterday evil arrived’ | World | News
Bondi has a unique warmth and sense of community.
Because of this, it serves as a shelter for countless people from both near and far places, but yesterday that essence was torn away.
The sounds echoing through the streets were absolutely terrifying.
I have never once doubted my safety since moving from the UK last year, but Sunday’s devastating events were as unexpected as they were frightening.
There was activity on the beach just a few minutes before the gunshots rang out. It was a busy summer evening, full of sunshine, and the streets were packed with people.
I went down to the beach to swim with my friends and set off around 6.20 in the evening.
During my journey home, I looked around at people drinking outside, performing live music, and cheerful faces.
I texted my friend and said: “There are so many good vibes everywhere tonight.” My message below was to check if he was okay.
What we now understand is that what we initially believed to be fireworks coming from my apartment, like most people in the area, were actually gunshots.
A few minutes later, messages poured in urging them to ‘stay inside’. Then came the fear of controlling everyone you know.
Living away from home, friends here become family.
The following moments became a haze as I called and texted all the people I loved who might have been affected as they went about their ordinary day.
I am incredibly lucky and grateful to know that everyone is safe, but I also feel so sad for those who cannot say the same. Just before the news reached the UK, I contacted my family to let them know I was safe.
As people started to stir at home, there was a flurry of messages checking on my health. My thoughts were consumed by those who couldn’t tell their loved ones that they were okay and safe.
Even in my flat in South Bondi, sirens were the only sound filling the air late into the night.
Colleagues from my previous job witnessed this horror and took shelter in kitchens and garbage bins. Others who were eating or drinking outside were scrambling to find places to hide.
This morning Bondi is in mourning.
Helicopters continue their uninterrupted patrol duty. The surreal atmosphere is a stark reminder of the world’s potential for terrorism.
Love and support goes out to the Jewish community in Bondi and Sydney, and to all the innocent victims of this horrific attack.
I know I am not alone in feeling deep pain as the death toll rises. It’s heartbreaking to know that 10-year-olds went to the beach and never came home.
No one expects a mass shooting to happen anytime soon. No one plans to live where the terrorist attack took place.
But above all, no one expects such an incident to happen in Bondi, which seems to be the safest place in the world.
