Everything we know so far about the mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach

Australian authorities are continuing to investigate a deadly mass shooting that occurred at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening.

The incident unfolded during the first night of Hanukkah, a significant Jewish festival and is being treated as a terrorism investigation.

Witnesses have described dozens of shots fired, widespread panic, people running for cover, and emergency services attending to injured people on the ground.

Details are still emerging, but here’s what we know so far.

What Happened?

The shooting took place on the evening of Sunday, 14 December, near Bondi Park and Campbell Parade, one of Sydney’s most popular and densely populated coastal areas.

According to Sky News, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said two individuals fired on a “crowded group of families” at the park in a “cowardly act of terrifying violence.”

Emergency services were called to the scene within minutes, and a major police operation was launched as officers worked to secure the area and locate the attackers.

At least 29 people, including a kid and two police officers, have been hurt, in addition to at least 12 fatalities.

Another suspect is being held in critical condition, and a man thought to be one of the gunmen was also murdered.

What did witnesses see?

In one video, fleeing crowds were seen racing on the beach, while in another, two shooters seemed to begin firing from a tiny bridge overlooking the beach.

A spectator appears to be wrestling a firearm from one of the gunmen in a third video.

The assailant appears to be running towards his accomplice on a bridge when the man points the firearm at him.

Other witnesses have described terror and confusion as masses of people fled the beach.

What has been said? 

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has said: “This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah.”

“What should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.”

He added: “Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community.”

The country’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese called the shooting a “devastating” terrorist attack targeting Jewish people and said his government would “dedicate every resource to making sure you are safe and protected.”

Police stated that a “number of suspicious items located in the vicinity” were being investigated by specialised police as part of their “ongoing” operation.

Subsequently, they stated that multiple suspected improvised explosive devices were being worked on by a police bomb disposal unit.

President of Ireland Catherine Connolly offered condolences on behalf of the people of Ireland to the Jewish community after what she described as an “appalling and anti-Semitic attack.”

“I particularly join with all those Irish people living in Sydney who will be appalled by this horrific act of violence. Such violence is to be utterly condemned and has no place for all of us who are committed to peace in our world.”

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