Sydney mass shooting at Bondi Beach leaves 16 dead, police confirm terrorist attack

At least 16 people have been killed and around 40 others wounded after a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a public Hanukkah celebration, Australian police said, confirming the incident is being treated as a terrorist attack.

New South Wales Police said the victims range in age from 10 to 87, including a 10-year-old girl. Five people remain in critical condition, while others are being treated for serious and stable injuries in hospitals across Sydney. Two police officers were shot during the response and are in a stable condition.

The attack occurred shortly before 7pm local time on Sunday at Archer Park, near Bondi Beach, where more than 1,000 people had gathered for a public menorah lighting marking the start of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Police said two gunmen opened fire on the crowd from an elevated position overlooking the beach. One attacker, a 50-year-old man, was shot dead at the scene. The second suspect, a 24-year-old man, sustained critical injuries and remains in hospital under police guard.

Authorities later confirmed the attackers were father and son. Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said six firearms were recovered at the scene and investigators are working to determine whether they were legally owned.

Two “rudimentary” explosive devices were also discovered nearby and safely neutralised by specialist officers. Police said they were relieved the devices were not detonated. An exclusion zone remains in place, and Bondi Beach and surrounding roads will stay closed as forensic examinations continue.

Video footage verified by local media shows crowds fleeing the beach as shots rang out. In one recording, a bystander is seen wrestling a rifle from one of the attackers. The man, identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, was shot during the incident and is recovering in hospital.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as a “dark day in our nation’s history”, announcing that flags would fly at half-mast nationwide. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called the attack a “cowardly act of terrifying violence” targeting families and children.

World leaders condemned the shooting, including King Charles, who said he was “appalled and deeply saddened”, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who described it as “sickening”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack “cold-blooded murder”, while French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that a French citizen was among the dead.

One victim has been formally identified as Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a British-born assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. Tributes described him as a dedicated community leader.

Police said investigations into the attack are ongoing and declined to comment on motive. Authorities confirmed they are not seeking any additional suspects.

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