Australia has been shaken by its deadliest mass shooting in nearly 30 years after two gunmen opened fire on a large crowd gathered at Sydney’s Bondi Beach to celebrate the start of Hanukkah.
- Attack unfolded during Hanukkah celebration
- Gunmen identified as father and son
- Dozens injured, including children and police officers
- Civilian hailed as hero for stopping gunman
- Victims range from 10 to 87 years old
- Tributes pour in for slain rabbi
- Worst mass shooting since Port Arthur
- Investigation continues
Fifteen people were killed in the attack, including a 10-year-old girl, after gunfire erupted just before 7pm on Sunday during a Jewish cultural event attended by more than 1,000 people.
Authorities have declared the incident a terrorist attack, saying it deliberately targeted the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.
Attack unfolded during Hanukkah celebration
The shooting occurred at approximately 6.47pm local time near Campbell Parade, where crowds had gathered for an event known as Chanukah by the Sea.
Emergency services were dispatched shortly after reports of shots being fired, prompting police to warn members of the public to take shelter as panic spread across the popular tourist destination.
Disturbing videos circulating on social media showed people fleeing across the beach as multiple gunshots rang out, accompanied by police sirens.
Police later confirmed that two gunmen, identified as a father and son, carried out the attack.
Gunmen identified as father and son
One attacker, aged 50, was shot by police and died at the scene. The second gunman, aged 24, sustained critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.
Authorities have not formally released the suspects’ names.
Police said at least 14 people died at the scene, including one of the attackers. A 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man later succumbed to their injuries in hospital, bringing the death toll to 15.
Dozens injured, including children and police officers
New South Wales Police confirmed that 42 injured people were taken to hospitals across Sydney, including four children.
Five people remain in critical condition, while others are listed as serious or stable.
Two police officers — a constable and a probationary constable — were shot during the response. Both are in serious but stable condition.
Civilian hailed as hero for stopping gunman
One of the gunmen was tackled by a civilian before police arrived.
Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two and fruit shop owner from Sydney, was captured in video footage wrestling the firearm away from an attacker on a nearby bridge.
Mr al Ahmed sustained gunshot wounds to his arm and hand and remains in hospital. His family described him as a “100% hero”.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised his actions, calling him a “genuine hero” whose bravery likely saved lives.
Victims range from 10 to 87 years old
Police said the victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the attack.
Among those killed was British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural and religious centre.
Rabbi Schlanger, a father of five, grew up in Temple Fortune in north London before moving to Australia.
Tributes pour in for slain rabbi
Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, a colleague and family friend, paid tribute to Schlanger, describing him as a man dedicated to spreading hope and compassion.
“If Rabbi Eli were here and you asked how to best honour him, he would say that Chanukah is when we light the menorah at the darkest time of the year,” Sudak said.
“He would urge everyone to increase the brightness. To become ambassadors of light.”
Worst mass shooting since Port Arthur
The Bondi Beach attack is Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since April 1996, when 35 people were killed in the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania — an event that led to sweeping gun law reforms.
The scale of the violence has reignited debate about terrorism, public safety and the protection of religious gatherings in Australia.
Investigation continues
New South Wales Police said the investigation remains ongoing, with counter-terrorism units examining the attackers’ motives and any possible links to extremist ideologies.
Authorities have increased police presence at religious sites nationwide as communities mourn and seek reassurance in the aftermath of the attack.
