Death toll climbs to 12 in Bondi Beach terror
Twelve people, including children, are dead after two gunmen armed with rifles opened fire at Bondi Beach on Sunday afternoon, in an act of terrorism targeting a Jewish holiday celebration.
Witnesses said two men stepped out of a vehicle on Campbell Parade, near Bondi Pavilion, and opened fire about 6.40pm on Sunday with footage showing blast after blast on the tourist strip. Some witnesses report more than 30 shots.
Video and photos taken by a Daily Mail photographer show a gunman, later identified as Naveed Akram, 24, from Bonnyrigg in Sydney's southwest, opening fire from an elevated bridge.
A festival for Hanukkah, named Chanukah by the Sea, advertised as a night of family fun, was taking place, with children attending the event when the gunmen, one of whom was on the terror list and known to authorities, opened fire.
NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed 12 people were killed in a press conference late on Sunday.
Up to 29 injured people, including two police officers in critical condition and a child, have been taken to various hospitals in Sydney.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the shooting, which has been confirmed as an act of terrorism.
'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,' he said.
'An act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation... An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.'
Akram was shot, arrested and remains in custody, where he is being treated by emergency services. The second gunman has been shot dead.
Akram's home in Bonnyrigg was raided by police, as a crowd watched from the pavement. His family has owned the property for a year.
At least three residents were then drawn out of the home at gunpoint by police with their hands up.
It was also confirmed late on Sunday evening that a number of suspicious items had been found near the bridge where the gunmen fired rounds, including an improvised explosive device (IED).
The IED was removed by bomb squad specialists, driven away in an armoured car.
A black and white flag could be seen abandoned on the bonnet of a silver Honda at the scene. It is unknown what the flag means.
Larisa Kleytman was with her husband when he was shot dead while trying to protect her.
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At least 11 killed as gunmen open fire on Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach
TOI STAFF and AGENCIES
Dozens more wounded in terror attack on Chabad event, one of deadliest attacks on Jews outside Israel in decades; Australian authorities accused of failing to combat antisemitism; Chabad emissary among victims
Two gunmen shot dead at least 11 people on Sunday at a Hanukkah event being held at Sydney’s Bondi Beach to mark the first night of the Jewish holiday, Australian authorities said, in one of the deadliest attacks targeting Jews outside Israel in decades and the worst on Jews abroad since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
Jewish leaders in Australia and Israeli officials described the deadly shooting as an outgrowth of rising antisemitism globally since October 7, 2023, with many accusing the Australian government of doing too little to protect the country’s Jewish community.
Australian officials declared the incident a terror attack, and the country’s prime minister vowed to “eradicate” antisemitism.
Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an emissary of the Chabad Lubavitch movement who has worked there for 18 years, according to Chabad sources.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, the police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
Lanyon said the death toll was “fluid” and that wounded people were still arriving at hospitals.
The scene unfolded late Sunday afternoon as two men in black opened fire at the famed beach, with footage showing dramatic scenes of people scattering along the sand and into nearby streets and parks.
Eyewitnesses said they heard around 50 shots as the shooting went on for around 10 minutes.
The attack occurred as hundreds were gathering at a playground next to the beach for an event called Chanukah by the Sea, which was celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah holiday.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” said the New South Wales state’s premier, Chris Minns. The massacre was declared a terrorist attack due to the event targeted and weapons used, Lanyon said.
Police said the event had drawn more than 1,000 people. It was advertised as having live entertainment, food for purchase and games for children, all culminating in a grand menorah lighting.
Haim Levy told Israel’s Channel 12 news that he had been sitting with his wife, son and daughter at Bondi Beach when the shooting started.
“It was immediately clear that something [terrible] was happening,” he said. The three ran for cover, hiding behind cars in a parking lot as bullets whizzed overhead. Levy said he tried to keep his 2-year-old son quiet as they hid for fear the terrorists would hear and come and kill them. “Thank God we survived, when bullets were flying in all directions… It seemed never-ending.”
One gunman was killed and a second was taken into custody in serious condition, authorities said.
Dramatic footage, apparently filmed by a member of the public and broadcast on Australian television channels, showed someone appearing to tackle and disarm one of the gunmen, before pointing the attacker’s weapon at him. In the footage, a second person can be seen standing on a bridge and firing at people hiding between cars.
Another video captured from the air appeared to show the moment one of the gunmen on the bridge was shot. Footage also showed two men pressed onto the ground by uniformed police on a small pedestrian bridge. Officers could be seen trying to resuscitate one of the men. The footage could not be immediately verified.
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