At least twelve people have been killed after a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, sending a shockwave across Australia, officials said, adding that two people have been taken into custody.
“A police operation is ongoing after a public place shooting by two men at Bondi Beach earlier today,” a statement from New South Wales police said on Sunday.
“Ten people have been confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the shooters. The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition. At this time, a further 11 people are reported to be injured, two of which are police officers,” it said.
In a statement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the scenes in Bondi “shocking and distressing”.
“Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected,” he said.
Albanese said he had spoken to the federal police commissioner and the New South Wales premier on the situation, and was in touch with them for further information.
Footage aired by Al Jazeera showed a bystander tackling one of the suspects and snatching his gun. The suspect then walks away.
In the same video, another armed man is seen on a bridge, some 50-100 metres (160-330 feet) away, shooting towards the bystander.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that a Chanukah by the Sea event had begun at a playground near the northern end of the beach when the attack occurred.
The broadcaster spoke to a witness who described seeing two black-clad armed men standing on a bridge, shooting at crowds who had gathered for the event.
Meanwhile, speaking at an event in Jerusalem, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog condemned the “cruel” shooting attack, which he said targeted Hanukkah celebrations.
“Our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Hanukkah,” Herzog said, speaking at an event at his residence.
“We repeat our alerts time and again to the Australian government to seek action and fight against the enormous wave of anti-Semitism which is plaguing Australian society,” he said.
An Australian Islamic organisation condemned the Bondi Beach shooting as a “horrific” act of violence.
“Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack,” the Australian National Imams Council said in a statement.
“This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity,” it added.
Reporting from Sydney, journalist Danielle Robertson said the attack had sent shockwaves across Australia.
Gun violence in crowded public spaces was extremely rare in Australia, particularly in an area like Bondi Beach, which is heavily policed, she said.
Following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, Australia introduced strict national gun laws, and since then has largely avoided mass public shooting incidents.
