Arya News - At least 11 victims are dead, along with one of two gunmen, after shooters opened fire during a Jewish holiday event Sunday at Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach in Australia, officials said.
( NewsNation ) — At least 11 victims are dead, along with one of two gunmen, after they opened fire during a Jewish holiday event Sunday at Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach in Australia, officials said, calling it an act of terrorism.
Police said they found several improvised explosive devices in a car in connection with the deadly attack, and a bomb unit is on scene, following what is described as one of the deadliest attacks in Australia.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested in critical condition. At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, the Associated Press reported .
The gathering was meant to celebrate the start of Hanukkah, which begins the evening of Sunday, Dec. 14.
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A video is circulating online that appears to show one gunman being tackled and disarmed by a bystander while another suspect is seen firing from a pedestrian bridge. Authorities have not yet verified this footage.
“This is a shocking event. It’s not common in Australia, and it’s all the more shocking because of that,” said New South Wales Premier Chris Minns. “We need to be in a situation where we’re sending a clear and unambiguous message to the Jewish community, in fact, every Australian that lives in this state, that these horrible acts of violence will never be tolerated, and anyone who perpetrates them, we will throw the book at. Anyone who’s thinking about it will be thoroughly investigated.”
Officials said this is the deadliest attack of this nature since 1996. The shooting comes amid heightened concern in Australia following a series of anti-Semitic incidents nationwide since the start of the Israel war in Gaza.
Witnesses described about 10 minutes of sustained gunfire, sending beachgoers running across the sands and into nearby streets and parks.
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“I was nearby the front, and I heard these shots go off, and I knew it was gunshots immediately, but I didn’t really register it… I’m going, well maybe it’s like a one-time shooting, like it’s not America,” said witness and restaurant employee William Doliente Petty. “But turns out it was, and the whole shop just like stood up, and we all just ran into the back exit, and everyone was pushing everyone.”
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack.
“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,” Albanese said. “There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation.”
United States officials also condemned the shooting.
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“The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration. Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X.
The U.S. Embassy in Australia issued a statement.
“We are heartbroken by reports of violence at Bondi Beach and offer our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims of this senseless act that targeted the Jewish community on the first night of Hanukkah,” the embassy wrote on X. “As details continue to unfold, please: avoid the area; follow guidance from local authorities and trusted news sources; and contact loved ones to let them know your status.”
NewsNation’s Ashley N. Soriano contributed to this article.
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