Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
At least 11 people killed in a terrorist attack in Sydney’s bondi beachon Sunday by two gunmen fired on the crowd Australian officials said the popular tourist destination was celebrating the start of a Jewish festival.
Police officials said one of the two gunmen, dressed in black, died after being shot and the other has been arrested. He said that the condition of the second suspected attacker is critical.
Families celebrating Jewish festival Hanukkah were targeted in the attack on Bondi BeachPolice have confirmed.
new South Wales state police A total of 29 people, including two police officers, were injured in the mass shooting, it said, while a search of the area was underway after an improvised explosive device was found in a car near the spot.
Emergency services were dispatched to Campbell Parade at around 6.45pm local time following reports of shots fired. Officials from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command said they responded to the crisis and a multi-agency response is ongoing.
“An extensive crime scene has been established and inquiries are now ongoing. There have been no reports of any other incidents related to this incident in Sydney,” the statement said.
New South Wales Police have issued an appeal to anyone with information regarding this incident in their mobile phone vision or dashcam vision to contact Crime Stoppers on the helpline number.
Hundreds of people had gathered at the popular tourist destination to participate in an event called Chanukah by the Sea.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation, saying, Said: “The evil that was unleashed on Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension.”
“Police and emergency responders are working on the ground to save lives. My thoughts are with everyone affected,” he said.
The Australian PM said he has spoken to senior police officers and the New South Wales Premier. He told Australia’s Jewish population, “We will devote every resource necessary to ensure that you are safe and secure.”
The New South Wales Police Force said they would investigate whether there was a third attacker or anyone else connected to the atrocity.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the reports and images from the scene as “deeply disturbing”.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” Minns said.
He said, “We are working with NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from NSW Police.” Mal Lanyon, police commissioner of New South Wales state, where Sydney is located, said the massacre had been declared a terrorist attack because of the targeted incident and the weapons used.
In disturbing video circulating on social media, people can be seen scattering on Bondi Beach as multiple gunshots and police sirens are heard. Local news outlets spoke to distressed bystanders who witnessed the horror.
Belinda Clemens told CNN she was sitting on the rocks near the northern part of Bondi today when she heard gunshots.
“It sounded like fireworks and then it became clear it was a shooting because people were running in both directions,” Clemens said. He said he then saw bullets hitting the water and “spray going into the air”.
Lachlan Moran, 32, of Melbourne, was waiting for his family nearby when he heard gunshots, he told The Associated Press. He dropped the beer he was carrying for his brother and ran away.
Mr Moran said, “You heard some noises, and I panicked and ran… I started running. I just had this intuition. I ran as fast as I could.” He said he heard intermittent gunshots for about five minutes.
“Everyone left all their property and everything and was running and people were crying and it was just terrible,” Mr Moran said.
The attack comes almost 11 years after a lone gunman took 18 people hostage at a Lindt cafe in Sydney. After a 16-hour standoff, two hostages and the gunman were killed.