Girl, 10, and British-born rabbi among 16 killed in ‘evil’ attack on Bondi Beach

Two individuals armed with guns opened fire on a crowd in the Archer Park area at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, New South Wales Police said.

The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to the beach on the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, the force confirmed.

The range of ages of people who died in the Bondi Beach attack is from 10 years old to 87, according to New South Wales Police.

A total of 13 people died at the scene with a 10-year-old girl and 40-year-old man dying in hospital.

Police also said that 42 injured people including four children were taken to hospitals across Sydney.

"Several improvised explosive devices" have been found in a car linked to the deceased gunman, New South Wales Police commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference.

There is also an active police scene to clear the area of suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Footage shows the shocking moment two shooters dressed all in black fired towards people from a bridge near a car park.

Read more: 'Act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism' Australian Prime Minister leads tributes after Bondi Beach attack

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A spokeswoman for New South Wales Ambulance service said "We were called to the scene around 6.45pm to reports of multiple people shot at Bondi Beach.

"We have got more than 40 resources there including helicopter and road crews and have treated multiple patients at the scene.

"We have so far transported 13 patients to various hospitals in Sydney."

The policesaid they have "very very little" knowledge of the shooter and that he was not someone they would have been looking at.

'Shocking and distressing'

Anthony Albanese said in a statement: "The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives.

"My thoughts are with every person affected. I have just spoken to the AFP Commissioner and with the NSW Premier.

"We are working with the NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed.

"I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police."

Bondi Beach is popular with tourists and expats.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sent condolences following the attack.

In a statement posted on X on Saturday morning, Sir Keir said: "Deeply distressing news from Australia.

"The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach.

"I'm being kept updated on the developing situation."

The Metropolitan Police is increasing its visibility in Jewish communities ahead of any Hanukkah events in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack, the mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said.

A body representing the British Jewish community has offered its support after the Bondi beach attack.

In a statement, the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: "We are devastated to hear reports of a shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, with multiple fatalities at a Jewish Hanukkah event.

"While details emerge, we have been in touch with our Australian partners at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry to express our solidarity and offer our support.

"We have also been in touch with the UK Government, who are monitoring the situation closely, to discuss the UK response.

"The scourges of terrorism and antisemitism are shared, international challenges and need concerted and determined action to defeat them."

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day festival of light usually observed in December.

'Act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism'

Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, told a press conference in Canberra that the Bondi Beach attack was "an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism".

He said: "This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith.

"An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated on this attack on our way of life.

"There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it.

"Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith at this dark moment for our nation.

"Our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage."

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has told any British people caught up in the Bondi Beach shooting to contact the consulate for support.

In a post on X, she said: "The scenes from Bondi Beach are deeply shocking and distressing.

"My thoughts are with everyone affected and Australia's emergency services.

"British nationals should follow local police and authorities advice and can contact the British Consulate General Sydney for support."

Ms Cooper is understood to be in touch with her Australian counterpart Penny Wong about the incident.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: "Jews gathering to celebrate life have yet again been met by death meted out by evil terrorists. We pray for the families of those who have been taken from us in Australia, and for the recovery of those fighting for their lives.

"When people call to 'globalise the intifada', this is what they are calling for: dead Jews, terrorism and families shattered forever.

"As the horrific news broke, we were immediately reminded of one atrocity after another, from the Yom Kippur attack in Manchester to the Simchat Torah attack on October 7 in Israel.

"For many Jews, this is increasingly what the world feels like - a place where we are either being vilified, or slaughtered, or sent thoughts and prayers, but never protected.

"The West must stand unequivocally against the evil ideology that wrought this massacre, not just in word but in deed. The guns that today slaughter Jews will tomorrow turn on others."