SYDNEY — A peaceful gathering to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah turned into a scene of unimaginable horror Sunday evening when two armed men opened fire on families, friends and visitors at Bondi Beach, killing at least 12 people and wounding dozens more in what Australian authorities have classified as a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.
Just after 6:40 p.m. local time, the joyful hum of Chanukah by the Sea, a popular holiday event at Bondi Park Playground, was shattered by the crack of gunfire that sent crowds ducking for cover and sprinting in panic. Witnesses described dozens of shots echoing across the sand as people clutched children and scrambled toward safety.
Police and emergency services rushed to the beach, where chilling footage later circulated online showed two men dressed in black firing weapons from an elevated footbridge near Campbell Parade. Amid the chaos, a brave bystander tackled one assailant and wrested his rifle away, a moment that unfolded on camera and quickly spread across social media.
New South Wales Police confirmed they had neutralized one shooter at the scene and taken a second into custody in critical condition. Several improvised explosive devices were found in connection with the attack and are being examined by bomb squad specialists, authorities said.
Eyewitness accounts painted a heartbreaking picture: injured families lying on the sand, volunteers performing CPR on strangers, and mates shielding one another as the horror unfolded. Among the dead were children and at least one police officer who had responded to the scene, officials said. Dozens more, including civilians and first responders, are in hospitals with wounds ranging from moderate to severe.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state leaders condemned the violence as an evil and antisemitic act of terror, promising swift justice and national unity. “This was a deliberate attack on a community gathered in peace and light,” the prime minister said in a statement, urging Australians to stand together against hate and violence.
As the sun set over one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, the panic and disbelief gave way to grief and anger. Bondi locals and visitors alike lit candles and left flowers near the crime scene, their quiet tributes marking the loss of lives in what should have been a celebration of faith, hope and community.
The post Bondi Beach Hanukkah by the Sea Massacre: At Least 12 Dead, Including Children, in Targeted Terror Attack appeared first on Tripplenews.
