What we know so far about mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach
At least 11 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach. A man believed to be one of the gunmen was also killed and another suspect is in custody in a critical condition.
Sunday 14 December 2025 18:30, UK
At least 11 people have been killed after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Here is what we know so far about what happened in the Australian coastal city.
How many people were killed or injured?
In addition to 11 fatalities, at least 29 people have been injured, including a child and two police officers.
A man believed to be one of the gunmen was also killed and another suspect is in custody in a critical condition.
How did the shooting unfold?
More than 1,000 people were at an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at the time of the shooting, police said.
Officers were called at about 6.47pm on Sunday (7.47am UK time), as they responded to reports of shots being fired at Archer Park, Bondi Beach.
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".
Officers have declared the attack a terrorist incident.
One video showed two gunmen appearing to open fire from a small bridge overlooking the beach, while another showed fleeing crowds running on the beach.
In a third video, a bystander can be seen wrestling a rifle from one of the gunmen.
Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, who was shot twice in the incident, then aims the weapon at the attacker, who seems to run towards his accomplice on a bridge.
Who are the suspected gunmen?
One of the suspected gunmen is 24-year-old Naveed Akram.
His driver's licence says he lives in Bonnyrigg, a suburb of Sydney.
The identity of the other suspected attacker is not known.
What have witnesses said?
Witnesses have described the terror and confusion as masses of people fled the beach.
Arsen Ostrovsky was injured and said the shooting was an "absolute bloodbath".
He said he had also "survived October 7th" - the Hamas attack on Israel two years ago.
He told Paste BN Australia he had only been in Australia for a fortnight.
Mr Ostrovsky said: "I lived in Israel the last 13 years. We came here only two weeks ago to work in the Jewish community, to fight antisemitism, to fight this bloodthirsty, ravaging hatred. That's why I'm here. You know, we've lived through worse. We're going to get through this."
He added: "I saw at least one gunman firing. Looked like a shotgun, firing randomly in all directions. I saw children falling to the floor, elderly, I saw invalids… it was just an absolute bloodbath."
Elodie Obkircher told Paste BN she and her boyfriend were at the nearby North Bondi RSL club when the shooting happened.
She said: "We heard 10 gunshots. So everyone dropped down to the ground. A lot of us were crying and shaking. It was very traumatic.
"It was absolute chaos.
"We could hear the rounds of shots. At first, everyone thought it was fireworks, but I saw people running along the beach. I've never seen so many people running.
"We could see everyone hiding behind their cars. And then as soon as we heard the shots, 10 rounds go, we knew it was a gunman."
Another witness told 9News there was "thousands of people just like running".
"And I opened up the back gate to my friend's cafe and just let everyone in. Pregnant women, women with kids, just everyone's running.
"It was pandemonium."
Meanwhile, Rabbi Levi Wolff, of Central Synagogue Sydney, went to the scene when he was informed about the shooting.
He told Paste BN: "We are on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, and there was about to be a public menorah lighting for the first night of the Jewish holiday.
"And the gunmen were just shooting at those who were there present for the menorah lighting."
Rabbi Wolff went on to say that his colleague and friend, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was killed in the terror attack.
He said he was "full of light, full of unbelievable energy" and "gave so much of himself to this very community".
Jewish News, speaking to Mr Schlanger's cousin, reports that he was born in London.
'Suspicious items located'
Police said their operation was "ongoing" and a "number of suspicious items located in the vicinity" were being examined by specialist officers. An exclusion zone was in place, they added.
They later said a police bomb disposal unit was working on several suspected improvised explosive devices.
'Horrifying evil attack'
Mr Minns 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".
The leader of Australia's opposition Sussan Ley said the attack took place as "our Jewish community came together at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration".
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Jewish people who had gone to light the first candle of the Hanukkah holiday on the beach had been attacked by "vile terrorists".