This article first appeared at rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission.

Australian police have confirmed that 16 people were killed in Sunday’s shooting at Bondi Beach, including one of the shooters. A further 40 people were injured in the attack.

The two men who opened fire in what officials describe as a targeted, anti-semitic terror attack were father and son, it has been revealed.

Fifty-year-old Sajid Akram was shot dead by police on the scene, while his son Naveed Akram, 24, remains in hospital in critical condition under police guard.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Sajid Akram had been a licensed firearms holder for the past 10 years.

“There was little knowledge of either of these men by the authorities.

“He was determined to be entitled to have a firearms licence and had a firearms licence.”

“He has six firearms licensed to him. We are satisfied that we have six firearms from the scene yesterday,” he said.

Those who died are yet to be formally identified; however, police believe their ages range between 10 and 87 years old. A 10-year-old girl, a Rabbi and a Holocaust survivor are among the those killed.

Authorities said far more people would have been killed were it not for a bystander, identified by local media as fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, who was filmed charging a gunman from behind, grappling with him and wresting a rifle from his hands.

In a press conference, NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was a targeted attack on the Jewish community.

“On the first day of Hanukkah,” Minns told the press conference.

“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.

“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.”

NSW Police Commissioner Lanyon said two police officers were among the injured and are in a serious condition.

“We know that there were many people there to celebrate a happy occasion – the celebration of Hanukkah. And there was well over 1000 people there when this took place.

“As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight, at 9.36pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident.”

Videos circulating on social media show people on Bondi Beach scattering as multiple gunshots and police sirens can be heard.

Other video from the scene showed multiple people lying on the ground injured as paramedics worked on them.

People could be seen running away from the area, others had bandages on their heads, while other people were covered in blood.

Security measures have been increased for the Jewish community across New Zealand after the Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney, Australia.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Morning Report police were meeting Jewish community leaders now over security.

A police car could be seen stationed outside the Beth El Synagogue on Wellington’s Webb Street on Monday morning.

He earlier released a statement saying he was shocked by the scenes at Bondi.

“Australia and New Zealand are closer than friends, we’re family. My thoughts, and the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those affected.”

Major cities around the world are also ramping up security for Hannukah events.