At least 12 people have been killed and 29 injured in the shooting at the popular Sydney beach. – Vicious anti-Semitism and terror, says Australia's Prime Minister.
Two men used shotguns when they opened fire during a Jewish celebration at the famous beach.
– This attack was directed at the Jewish community on the first day of Hannuka, said State Minister Chris Minns at a press conference at 12 noon Norwegian time.
He confirms that this is a terrorist attack. The country's security chief also says that the terrorist threat level remains at probable.
“It is important to take care of Jews in Australia now,” the state premier added.
29 people have been taken to hospital, and several have sought hospital care themselves, police said at a press conference.
At least two police officers are injured.
Police say two people have been arrested. One of the perpetrators is among those killed. Another is critically injured.
Police are also investigating whether there is a third shooter.
Showing the attack
Several videos on social media show chaotic scenes at Bondi Beach. In some of the videos, people are lying on the ground with gunshot wounds. Others are receiving first aid.
– I saw at least ten people on the ground and blood everywhere, local Harry Wilson (30) told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Another video shows two men shooting from a parking lot in the area. Twelve shots can be heard in the 27-second video.
This satellite image shows the area where the shooting took place at Bondi Beach. The building with the red roof is the Bondi Pavilion.
Jewish event at the beach
When the shooting began, a Jewish Hanukkah event was being held at a playground on the beach, near the Bondi Pavilion.
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival of lights celebrated in November or December.
Drone video on X shows one of the shooters standing on a bridge near the scene, firing towards a playground and the Bondi Pavilion.
Several lifeless people lie in a parking lot near the bridge.
Towards the end of the video, the man is apparently shot by the police and falls over.
Shooter was overpowered by civilian
Another video shows a man in a dark top and white pants being overpowered by a random passerby.
The man has his weapon taken from him. The shooter then flees in the direction of another perpetrator.
– He is a true hero, writes a number of users on X who have shared the photo.
The two incidents occurred only 40 meters apart, Aftenposten's analysis of the videos shows.
In a third video, the police are seen securing the area where the two shooters are lying on the ground on the bridge.
Around them are a row of used, red shotgun shells. Both shooters also wear belts full of shotgun shells.
The bomb squad also investigated the area between the car park and Bondi Beach.
Police say improvised explosive devices found in a car on Campbell Parade have now been removed by bomb squad specialists.
Norwegian Vilde Møller Barmen (27) tells NRK that she had come home from another beach when the shots were fired.
– It feels completely absurd to think about it now. I wanted to swim somewhere other than our beach, since we are there all the time. We had just driven past Bondi, came home and sat on the balcony, she says.
– It just went on and on and on.
Condemns the attacks
– The events in Bondi are shocking and deeply upsetting, writes Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on X.
He says police and emergency services are on the scene and working to save lives. The Prime Minister adds that his thoughts are with all those affected.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also condemned the attack.
"We pray for the injured and for those who have lost their lives. We call on Australian authorities to take action against what he calls a growing wave of anti-Semitism," Herzog said in a statement.
Muslim leaders in Australia have also condemned the attack, saying that violence and such acts have no place in society.
