The death toll does not include the dead shooter who had a firearm license
AT least 15 people including a 10-year-old girl are now confirmed dead in the brazen terror attack on Australia’s famous Bondi Beach.
Cops confirmed at least another 40 people – including more children – were injured in the attack carried out by a father and son duo targeting people celebrating a Hanukkah event.
Footage appears to show the two shooters dressed in black clothing
Dozens of beachgoers ran away as gunfire eruptedCredit: @mian.ores / instagram
A member of the public leaves the scene with her child in a blanket after the shooting at Bondi BeachCredit: Getty
Several people were rushed to nearby hospitalsCredit: AFP
One of the suspected gunmen is pictured at Bondi Beach
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 15 overnight, including the 10-year-old child.
One victim has been identified as Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor who was killed while protecting his wife from bullets.
British-born Rabbi Eli Schlangerabbi, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Reuven Morrison and French citizen Dan Elkayam were also among the dead
Other victims of the tragedy are yet to be formally identified, but police believe their ages range between 10 and 87.
Five people remain in critical condition, with the others remaining in serious and stable conditions, authorities revealed.
The two shooters were a 50-year-old dad who was shot by police and died on the scene, and his 24-year-old son who suffered “critical injuries,” the New South Wales police said in a statement.
The death toll does not include the dead shooter.
Authorities said he had six firearms registered to him, and that all six were recovered from the scene.
Cops said: “As part of the investigation, we conducted two search warrants last night, one at Bonnyrigg and a second at Campsie.
“The 50-year-old male is a licensed firearms holder; he has six firearms licensed to him.”
Two improvised explosive devices were also found at the scene that were “active”, New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference.
Although officials described the shooting as a terrorist attack, Lanyon declined to comment on the shooters’ ideology.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack an “act of pure evil” and one which “deliberately targeted” the Jewish community.
Footage shows cops shooting the two terrorists after they fired shots at a Hanukkah celebration on one of the most popular Australian beaches.
Officers were seen taking cover behind a vehicle, attempting to take down the attackers from their vantage point on a nearby bridge.
One of the shooters aiming his rifle at beachgoers on SundayCredit: X
Drone footage shows cops shooting the gunman standing on the bridgeCredit: @bonusik28 via X via REUTERS
After exchanging several rounds of fire, the police marksmen successfully neutralised one of the shooters – believed to be the dad.
The second gunman was also shot and taken into custody in a critical condition.
A large crowd swarmed the bridge, trying to hit and kick the gunman while he was subdued. They were dispersed quickly by the cops.
At least 1,000 people had gathered at Bondi on Sunday night for a festival celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
The event, called Chanukah by the Sea, had been advertised as a night of family fun – before it descended into scenes of horror.
Separate footage captured by a drone later shows the gunmen’s final moments on the bridge behind Bondi Park.
One man, wearing a black shirt, is seen taking cover behind a fence while the other lies motionless on the ground.
The standing gunman appears to fire toward a man sheltering behind a white van before he is shot himself, collapsing onto the bridge.
Both shooters appeared to be wearing ammunition belts – with reports indicating as many as 50 bullets were fired.
The guns appeared to be semiautomatic, with magazines scattered across the floor.
Shocked families leaving the beach after what was meant to be a fun day out celebrating HanukkahCredit: AFP
The shooter can be seen brandishing a weapon and wearing an ammunition belt
Police tackling the two gunmen on a footbridgeCredit: X
An innocent bystander successfully wrestled the gun from his clutchesCredit: X
Another clip captured a moment of raw courage, showing a bystander tackling one of the gunmen.
Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, said the attack “was designed to target Sydney‘s Jewish community”.
He said: “What should have been night of joy and peace… has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.”
A mum told NewsWire that panic erupted while her two daughters were with friends, enjoying what was meant to be a carefree night swim.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with at least 30 ambulance crews and helicopter paramedics swarming Campbell Parade.
A witness told 9News people had to be carried away on surfboards as there were not enough stretchers.
British expat Ruby O’Sullivan, 25, was heading out for an evening run with her boyfriend when they heard a string of gunshots from the beach.
The executive assistant, who moved to Sydney from Essex in March, told The Sun: “We were about to go for a run. We do that every evening.
People during a vigil outside the Australian High Commission in central LondonCredit: PA
Armed police work at the sceneCredit: AFP
“We could hear the gunshots – only three or four – but we didn’t think they were gunshots, maybe fireworks or something.
“My boyfriend was sent a message saying there had been a shooting.
“If we had gone out for a run five or ten minutes before, we might have been caught up in it.
“As soon as we knew what was going on, we turned around and went home because we didn’t want to be in it.
“We just couldn’t believe it. It is unheard of. We go to that beach every single day. Even the thought of going down there tomorrow is now scary.”
In the aftermath of the attack, detectives carried out a raid on a home in Sydney’s southwest – part of an urgent push to piece together how the attack unfolded.
The street was cordoned off as the home is said to be where the alleged shooters live.
Police were searching the area for live bombs after receiving a report that one had been planted beneath a footbridge.
Questions also remain as to how the men managed to get hold of guns, as mass shootings have become extremely rare due to Australia’s strict gun laws.
Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcherCredit: AP
Rabbi Eli Schlanger was killed during the Bondi Beach attackCredit: instagram
‘An act of evil antisemitism’
Australian officials and members of the Jewish community have been reacting to the terror attack.
Prime Minister Albanese said at a Canberra press conference: “An act of evil antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.”
“The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone’s worst nightmare.
“We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives.”
Australia’s opposition leader Sussan Ley added: “The loss of life from this attack is significant and I join with the prime minister in urging all Australians to follow official advice from police and relevant authorities.
“My heart is with Australia’s Jewish community tonight, particularly those in the eastern suburbs of Sydney – people I know well.”
British PM Sir Keir Starmer reacted to the “deeply distressing” news, saying: “The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach.”
Politicians must wake up to threat
by Noa Hoffman
THE Jewish community in Sydney lives peacefully among the sand and sea.
They work hard, spend weekends surfing, jogging along the golden crescent coastline, and slurp green smoothies under the blazing sun – like every other Bondi Aussie.
They chill on the beach, and every year at Chanukah they eat jam doughnuts and light a menorah.
I know this all too well because the eastern suburbs of Sydney are where I grew up – my life before moving to the UK.
Bondi is home to Sydney’s vibrant Jewish community, including my grandmother, sister, aunts and many cousins.
In a tragic turn, the beautiful beach life I enjoyed until 19 is no more.
Sydney’s small, quiet Jewish community, like Britain’s, now finds itself at the mercy of Islamist extremists.
These vile radicals – who do not represent mainstream Muslims – have been left to fester, almost unchecked, in closed-off pockets that refuse to integrate with wider society.
They’re aided and abetted by woke lefties who are obsessed with Israel.
Most dangerously, they’re wilfully ignored by MPs who enjoy the votes that come with appeasing them.
The result of politicians in Australia and Britain turning a blind eye to these dangerous extremists is death.
Death that struck at the Heaton Park Synagogue on Yom Kippur, in my adopted home of England.
And death in my birthplace this Chanukah, at a joyful party by the Sydney sea.
Thankfully my family in Bondi are all ok – but they are also distraught with fear.
Until politicians, particularly Labour, wake up to this threat, more of these grim days will unfold.
Leave a sick, twisted ideology like extremist Islamism to rot, and consequences follow.
For some Labour MPs that may mean more votes – but for my deeply patriotic, quiet community, who just want to get on with life, it means murder.
I hope politicians choose the right path.
King Charles also condemned the “dreadful” attack, writing: “My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach.
“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy.
“In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia – and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival – will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.”
French president Emmanuel Macron said France “shared the pain of the Australian people” and “will continue to fight relentlessly against antisemitic hatred.”
US secretary of state Marco Rubio said in a statement: “The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration.
“Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia.”
Daniel Aghion, president of the executive council of Australian Jewry, told Sky News: “The Jewish community of Sydney and Australia is hurting tonight.”
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