Bondi beach mass shooting: 10 killed during shooting near Sydney park hosting Jewish festival | Bondi
10 people, including one believed to be a gunman, have died following a mass shooting at Bondi beach, with dozens of shots fired into the area.
New South Wales police confirmed on Sunday evening that nine people and a suspected gunman were dead after several people were shot during the incident.
There was a Jewish festival on the beach on Sunday evening, and Alex Ryvchin, co-chairman of the Executive Council of Australian Jews, said: “I think it was very deliberate and targeted.”
In a statement shared to X around 7pm on Sunday, police said there was a “developing incident” in Bondi and appealed to the public to avoid the area.
“Everyone at the scene should take shelter,” NSW police said. “Police are at the scene and further information will be provided as it becomes available.”
In a statement made about 40 minutes later, the police reported that two people were detained.
“However, the police operation continues and we continue to urge people to avoid the area,” police said. “Please follow ALL police instructions. Do not cross police lines.”
A NSW police spokesman said at 8.30pm there were “no longer any active attackers”.
The NSW Ambulance service said at least six people were taken to local hospitals following the attack at Bondi beach. Police later confirmed that 18 people were taken to hospital.
An ambulance spokesman did not comment on the nature of the injuries or the condition of those taken to hospitals. It was stated that the citizens injured by the gun were treated at the scene.
A spokesman said NSW Ambulance was called to the area around 6.45pm to reports of multiple people shot. There were 25 teams at the scene, including helicopters and intensive care units.
Four people were taken to St Vincent’s hospital, one to Royal Prince Alfred hospital and another to St George’s hospital.
In the video seen by Guardian Australia, two men in black clothing can be seen crossing a bridge on Bondi beach and shooting. Twelve gunshots were heard. People were heard screaming and one man shouted “fuck”.
“The scenes at Bondi are shocking and distressing,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.
Albanese said he had spoken to AFP commissioner Krissy Barrett and NSW premier Chris Minns.
“Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with everyone affected,” he said.
“The news and images coming out of Bondi tonight are extremely distressing,” Minns said in a statement.
“Police and emergency services are responding and the public should follow official advice,” the Prime Minister said in a statement. “We will notify the public as soon as further information becomes available.”
Sunday was the first day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Advertisement for the event read, “Join Bondi Chabad for our Annual Hanukkah Festival as we Celebrate Jewish Life by lighting up the iconic Bondi Beach,” with a start time of 5 p.m.
Speaking to 2GB, the co-chairman of the Executive Council of Australian Jews said the attack took place during the event.
Ryvchin, who was not present, said he spoke to the ECAJ media director, who he said was injured during the incident.
“Hundreds of people gathered. It’s a family event,” Ryvchin said Sunday evening.
“They heard dozens of explosions. And people started running, breaking barricades, grabbing their children. It was chaos.
“I don’t think this was an attack on Bondi beach. I think it was very deliberate and targeted.”
