At least nine people died this Sunday (14) in a shooting on Bondi Beach in Sydney, as hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The attack was carried out by two shooters: one of them was killed and the other injured and arrested.
Emergency services reported eight people hospitalized. The Australian Prime Minister denounced the event as “shocking and devastating”. “My thoughts are with everyone involved,” added Anthony Albanese.
A witness, a British tourist, told AFP he saw “two men armed with guns dressed in black” on the beach, one of Australia’s most famous, crowded with tourists, swimmers and surfers late Sunday afternoon local time.
According to the Sydney Morning Heraldone of the suspects was shot dead by police and another was arrested. Police initially announced an “ongoing incident” at the beach and ordered the public to avoid the area and “seek shelter.”
Sky News and ABC broadcast footage showing people lying on the ground and hundreds running to leave the scene, while gunshots and police sirens could be heard in the distance.
“I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere,” Harry Wilson, a 30-year-old Sydney resident who witnessed the shooting, told reporters. Sydney Morning Herald. “The images from Bondi are shocking and terrifying. Police and rescue teams are on scene to save lives,” the Australian Prime Minister said.
Authorities do not confirm which Jewish community was targeted
Alex Ryvchin, co-executive director of the Executive Council of Australian Jews, told Sky News the shooting happened during a Hanukkah celebration on the beach that began at dusk.
“Our brothers and sisters in Sydney were attacked by vile terrorists in a brutal attack on Jews who were traveling to Bondi Beach to light the first Hanukkah candle,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said.
Australian authorities have not officially confirmed that the attack specifically targeted the Jewish community, but the head of the Jewish Association of Australia called it “an entirely predictable tragedy.” Anthony Albanese’s government “was warned several times but did not take adequate measures to protect the Jewish community,” Robert Gregory told AFP.
With information from AFP and Reuters
About The Author
