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Australian officials say at least 15 people, including a child, were killed after two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as an antisemitic terrorist attack that has deeply shocked the nation. The attack took place at one of Australia’s most famous and crowded public spaces, turning a joyful religious gathering into a scene of fear and tragedy.
Police said the shooters were a father and his adult son. The older man, aged 50, was shot dead by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son was wounded and taken to hospital, where he remains under treatment. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said one of the gunmen was previously known to security agencies, but authorities had no specific warning that an attack was being planned.
The shooting occurred at around 6:45 p.m. as hundreds of people gathered for “Chanukah by the Sea,” an event marking the beginning of the eight-day Hanukkah festival. The celebration, organized by the Chabad Jewish movement, included family-friendly activities such as face painting and a petting zoo. As the event was winding down, gunfire erupted, sending people fleeing in panic.
Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old, according to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns. At least 42 others were injured and taken to hospitals, several of them in critical condition. Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and one of the event’s organizers. Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that one Israeli citizen died, while French President Emmanuel Macron said a French national was also among the victims. Australian authorities have not yet officially released the names of those killed.
Eyewitness videos showed beachgoers running from the shoreline as shots rang out. Other footage captured two men dressed in black firing long guns from a footbridge leading to the beach. In one widely shared clip, a bystander appeared to confront and disarm one of the attackers. The man was later identified by Australian media as Ahmed al Ahmed, a local fruit shop owner. Premier Minns praised him as a “genuine hero” whose bravery likely saved lives.
Several witnesses described scenes of chaos and fear. Arsen Ostrovsky, a lawyer attending the event with his family, suffered a minor head injury and said he was stunned by the scale of violence. Others said people dropped their belongings and ran for safety as shots continued for several minutes.
Authorities also found two improvised explosive devices at the scene. Bomb disposal teams later made them safe. Police described the devices as crude and said there was no ongoing threat to the public. Investigators are not searching for additional suspects and have promised a thorough investigation into how the attack was carried out.
The massacre is the deadliest shooting in Australia in nearly 30 years, in a country known for strict gun control laws. Minns said changes to gun legislation were “almost certain” following the attack, especially after police discovered multiple firearms at a property linked to the older gunman. Questions have been raised about how the weapons were obtained.
The attack comes amid a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia over the past year, including assaults, vandalism, and threats targeting Jewish communities. Prime Minister Albanese called for national unity and said the violence would be met with solidarity and firm action against hatred. World leaders, including King Charles III, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, condemned the attack and expressed support for Australia’s Jewish community.