A devastating terror attack at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach has left at least 12 people dead and dozens injured after gunmen opened fire on a park hosting a Jewish festival. The shooting, which occurred on Sunday evening during a Hanukkah celebration attended by families and children, has been formally declared a terrorist incident by New South Wales police. Among the dead is one alleged gunman, while a second suspect has been arrested and remains in critical condition at a hospital. Authorities are currently investigating the possibility of a third gunman and have launched a massive manhunt, authorizing special police powers to prevent further violence.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed late Sunday that the situation escalated further with the discovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) in a vehicle near the scene. The car has been linked to the deceased offender, prompting specialist officers to establish an exclusion zone to examine the device and other suspicious items located in the vicinity. The attack began around 6:47 pm at Archer Park, where crowds had gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Witnesses described a chaotic scene where the sounds of gunfire were initially mistaken for fireworks before panic set in, forcing hundreds of people to flee for cover or sprint from the promenade.
NSW Premier Chris Minns condemned the “cowardly act of terrifying violence,” stating that it represents the realization of the city’s worst fears regarding terrorism. “Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight,” Minns told reporters, emphasizing the horror of seeing loved ones killed during a celebration of an ancient holiday. Emergency services responded with significant force, scrambling over 40 ambulance resources, including helicopters and intensive care paramedics, to treat the wounded. Eighteen people, including at least one child and two police officers, were transported to various hospitals across Sydney with gunshot wounds and other injuries.
Jewish community leaders have reacted with shock and grief, describing the attack as a deliberate targeting of their community. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, stated that the attack was “very deliberate and very targeted,” noting that it occurred at a well-publicized family event. Ryvchin confirmed that a colleague had been injured in the melee. Colin Rubenstein of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council added that the organization had long warned that unchecked antisemitic vitriol could evolve into physical violence and murder, expressing horror at the fulfillment of those fears.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the scenes as “shocking and distressing,” confirming that the National Security Committee of the federal cabinet had met to address the crisis. Video footage circulating online captured the terrifying moments, showing men in black clothing firing weapons and bystanders attempting to tackle one of the assailants. As the investigation continues, police have urged the public to avoid the area and strictly follow all police directions while they work to ensure the site is safe and locate any remaining threats.