AT least 15 people including a 10-year-old girl are now confirmed dead in the brazen terror attack on Australia’s famous Bondi Beach.
Cops confirmed at least another 40 people – including more children – were injured in the attack carried out by a father and son duo targeting people celebrating a Hanukkah event.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 15 overnight, including the 10-year-old child.
One victim has been identified as Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor who was killed while protecting his wife from bullets.
British-born Rabbi Eli Schlangerabbi, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Reuven Morrison and French citizen Dan Elkayam were also among the dead.
Other victims of the tragedy are yet to be formally identified, but police believe their ages range between 10 and 87.
Five people remain in critical condition, with the others remaining in serious and stable conditions, authorities revealed.
The two shooters were a 50-year-old dad who was shot by police and died on the scene, and his 24-year-old son who suffered “critical injuries,” the New South Wales police said in a statement.
The death toll does not include the dead shooter.
Authorities said he had six firearms registered to him, and that all six were recovered from the scene.
Cops said: “As part of the investigation, we conducted two search warrants last night, one at Bonnyrigg and a second at Campsie.
“The 50-year-old male is a licensed firearms holder; he has six firearms licensed to him.”
Two improvised explosive devices were also found at the scene that were “active”, New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference.
Although officials described the shooting as a terrorist attack, Lanyon declined to comment on the shooters’ ideology.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack an “act of pure evil” and one which “deliberately targeted” the Jewish community.
Footage shows cops shooting the two terrorists after they fired shots at a Hanukkah celebration on one of the most popular Australian beaches.
Officers were seen taking cover behind a vehicle, attempting to take down the attackers from their vantage point on a nearby bridge.
After exchanging several rounds of fire, the police marksmen successfully neutralised one of the shooters – believed to be the dad.
The second gunman was also shot and taken into custody in a critical condition.
A large crowd swarmed the bridge, trying to hit and kick the gunman while he was subdued. They were dispersed quickly by the cops.
At least 1,000 people had gathered at Bondi on Sunday night for a festival celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
The event, called Chanukah by the Sea, had been advertised as a night of family fun – before it descended into scenes of horror.
Separate footage captured by a drone later shows the gunmen’s final moments on the bridge behind Bondi Park.
One man, wearing a black shirt, is seen taking cover behind a fence while the other lies motionless on the ground.
The standing gunman appears to fire toward a man sheltering behind a white van before he is shot himself, collapsing onto the bridge.
Both shooters appeared to be wearing ammunition belts – with reports indicating as many as 50 bullets were fired.
The guns appeared to be semiautomatic, with magazines scattered across the floor.
Another clip captured a moment of raw courage, showing a bystander tackling one of the gunmen.
Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, said the attack “was designed to target Sydney‘s Jewish community”.
He said: “What should have been night of joy and peace… has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.”
A mum told NewsWire that panic erupted while her two daughters were with friends, enjoying what was meant to be a carefree night swim.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with at least 30 ambulance crews and helicopter paramedics swarming Campbell Parade.
A witness told 9News people had to be carried away on surfboards as there were not enough stretchers.
British expat Ruby O’Sullivan, 25, was heading out for an evening run with her boyfriend when they heard a string of gunshots from the beach.
The executive assistant, who moved to Sydney from Essex in March, told The Sun: “We were about to go for a run. We do that every evening.
“We could hear the gunshots – only three or four – but we didn’t think they were gunshots, maybe fireworks or something.
“My boyfriend was sent a message saying there had been a shooting.
“If we had gone out for a run five or ten minutes before, we might have been caught up in it.
“As soon as we knew what was going on, we turned around and went home because we didn’t want to be in it.
“We just couldn’t believe it. It is unheard of. We go to that beach every single day. Even the thought of going down there tomorrow is now scary.”
In the aftermath of the attack, detectives carried out a raid on a home in Sydney’s southwest – part of an urgent push to piece together how the attack unfolded.
The street was cordoned off as the home is said to be where the alleged shooters live.
Police were searching the area for live bombs after receiving a report that one had been planted beneath a footbridge.
Questions also remain as to how the men managed to get hold of guns, as mass shootings have become extremely rare due to Australia‘s strict gun laws.
‘An act of evil antisemitism’
Australian officials and members of the Jewish community have been reacting to the terror attack.
Prime Minister Albanese said at a Canberra press conference: “An act of evil antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.”
“The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone’s worst nightmare.
“We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives.”
Australia’s opposition leader Sussan Ley added: “The loss of life from this attack is significant and I join with the prime minister in urging all Australians to follow official advice from police and relevant authorities.
“My heart is with Australia’s Jewish community tonight, particularly those in the eastern suburbs of Sydney – people I know well.”
British PM Sir Keir Starmer reacted to the “deeply distressing” news, saying: “The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach.”
King Charles also condemned the “dreadful” attack, writing: “My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach.
“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/15637837/gunman-opens-fire-bondi-beach-cops-urge-shelter/