Sydney, Dec 14, 2025:
At least 12 people, including one of the attackers, were killed in a shooting during a Jewish community event marking the first day of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday evening, Australian authorities said. The attack occurred in the presence of more than a thousand people and has been declared a terrorist incident.
Police said 29 people were taken to hospital with injuries, while two police officers were also shot. One attacker was killed at the scene, and another remains in critical condition.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the state was “heartbroken” for Australia’s Jewish community, describing the loss of loved ones during a religious celebration as unimaginable.
Australia rarely experiences gun violence. Officials said this was the country’s deadliest shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which 35 people were killed.
Bondi Beach, located in eastern Sydney, is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year.
What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is the Jewish “Festival of Lights,” commemorating a miracle in Jewish history. The word means “dedication,” and the festival lasts for eight days, usually falling in November or December.
What happened
Police received reports of gunfire at 6:47 pm local time. Verified video footage showed hundreds of people fleeing the area in panic. Witnesses reported seeing two gunmen firing from a small bridge near Campbell Parade, close to where the Hanukkah event was being held.
In one video, a civilian is seen tackling one attacker from behind and disarming him, an act later praised by Premier Minns, who called the man a “true hero” whose bravery saved many lives.
Another video showed police officers on the bridge providing CPR to a motionless person, while others continued to secure the area.
Casualties
Police confirmed that one gunman was killed at the scene. In total, 12 people died, including the attacker, while the second gunman is in critical condition. The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
A witness, Barry, who attended the event with his children, told the BBC that he saw the attackers firing into the crowd and many people lying motionless on the ground before he managed to escape with his family.
Latest situation
Authorities have cordoned off the area and declared it a restricted zone. Police are examining a vehicle linked to the deceased attacker after finding an improvised explosive device (IED). The public has been advised to avoid the area.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the investigation would leave “no stone unturned” and urged calm, saying this was “not a time for retaliation.” He confirmed police had limited prior information about one of the attackers.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, addressing the nation, described the incident as a “horrific, antisemitic terrorist attack” that had shaken Australia’s conscience. He praised civilians who ran toward danger to help others, calling them true heroes whose courage saved lives.
