At least nine people were killed on Sunday, December 14, after gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, triggering scenes of panic as crowds fled the popular Sydney beachfront in Australia.
NSW Police later confirmed that 10 people died at the scene, including one of the attackers. A second suspect was taken into custody. At least 12 others were injured, while two police officers were also shot and wounded during the incident.
Witnesses said two men stepped out of a vehicle along Campbell Parade near the Bondi Pavilion around 6:40pm and began shooting toward beachgoers. Videos circulating online appeared to show the suspects dressed in black firing near the shoreline, while another clip showed a bystander bravely tackling one of the gunmen and disarming him.
Footage from the scene also captured hundreds of people running from the beach and nearby streets as gunshots echoed across the area. One mother told NewsWire that panic broke out while her daughters were at the beach with friends for a night swim.
Emergency services responded in large numbers, with more than 30 ambulance crews and helicopter paramedics deployed to Campbell Parade. Paramedics said they treated “multiple” victims at the scene and transported others to hospitals across the city.
Large crowds had gathered at Bondi for “Chanukah by the Sea,” a festival marking the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah that had been advertised as a family-friendly event before the violence erupted.
In a statement posted on X, NSW Police said: “Police are responding to a developing incident at Bondi Beach and are urging the public to AVOID the area. Anyone at the scene should take shelter. Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand.”
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also confirmed federal awareness of the situation, saying: “We are aware of an active security situation in Bondi. We urge people in the vicinity to follow information from NSW Police.”
