Early on Sunday, December 14, a shooting at Bondi Beach, one of Sydney’s most iconic urban beaches, left multiple people injured and two suspects in custody, authorities said.
New South Wales Police posted on X that the operation is ongoing and urged locals and visitors to avoid the area as investigations continue. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with at least 10 people seen lying on the sand amid scattered belongings and blood.
“I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere,” said 30-year-old local Harry Wilson. Footage shared on X showed attendees at a Hanukkah celebration scattering as gunshots rang out, while police sirens filled the air.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told Sky News that the gathering had been a community event to mark the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which began at sundown. He confirmed his media adviser was among those wounded.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged an active security situation at Bondi and urged the public to follow NSW Police instructions. The incident comes almost exactly 11 years after the 16-hour Lindt Cafe siege in Sydney, where two hostages and the gunman were killed.
Bondi Beach attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each month, making security at large public events a growing concern for authorities. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about motives and measures to protect community gatherings.
We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
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Shooting at Bondi Beach leaves multiple injured, two in custody
cgtn.com
