Sydney: A joyous Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach descended into unimaginable horror on Sunday evening when gunmen opened fire on a crowd gathered for a community event, leaving at least 16 people dead and dozens injured. As investigators piece together the sequence of events, harrowing survivor accounts are revealing the scale of violence and chaos that unfolded in what authorities have declared a targeted terrorist attack.
The shooting erupted shortly after sunset during a “Chanukah by the Sea” gathering near Bondi Park, where families, children and visitors had assembled to mark the Festival of Lights. Witnesses told investigators that two attackers positioned themselves on an elevated structure overlooking the crowd and began firing indiscriminately, triggering panic as people scrambled for cover near a children’s playground and along nearby pathways.
Survivors described scenes of devastation in the immediate aftermath. One attendee recalled running for safety only to return moments later to a landscape littered with bodies and debris, saying the ground was strewn with victims and fragments from the attack. Emergency services were quickly overwhelmed as injured people cried out for help and bystanders attempted to assist the wounded.
Police said the assault lasted between 10 and 20 minutes before officers confronted the attackers. One gunman was shot dead at the scene, while the second was critically wounded and taken into custody. Authorities are also investigating whether explosive devices found nearby were intended to be used in the attack, raising further concerns about the level of planning involved.
Hospitals across Sydney were placed on emergency footing as ambulances transported the injured. Officials later confirmed that the death toll had risen overnight, including the loss of a child. Among those killed was a prominent rabbi who had served the local Jewish community for nearly two decades. Several victims remain in serious condition, including children and two police officers who were injured during the response.
New South Wales Police Commissioner described the incident as a terrorist act, citing the religious nature of the event, the weapons used and evidence recovered from the scene. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as an act of “evil antisemitism” that struck at the heart of the nation, while state leaders called for unity and solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.
Investigators are now examining the backgrounds of the suspects, their possible motivations and whether warning signs were missed. Counter-terrorism units and intelligence agencies have been mobilised to determine if others were involved or if the attackers had links to extremist networks.
As candles were lit and vigils held across the country, Bondi Beac usually a symbol of leisure and openness became a site of mourning and reflection. Community leaders and faith groups have urged Australians to reject hatred and violence, even as the nation grapples with the trauma of an attack that turned a celebration of light into one of its darkest nights.