Eleven people were killed and at least thirteen others were taken to hospital on Sunday evening, December 14, after a shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, one of the city’s most popular waterfront areas, authorities said, triggering a major emergency response.

Emergency services rushed to the scene as first responders worked to treat the wounded and secure the area, police said.

Australian police said one suspected shooter was dead, while a second suspect was in critical condition and under guard.

A police officer operates at the scene of a shooting incident at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, December 14, 2025. REUTERS/Kirsty Needham

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as “shocking and distressing,” saying emergency crews were on the ground and focused on saving lives.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the shooting occurred during a Hanukkah gathering, linking the attack to what he described as a rise in antisemitic violence in Australia in recent years.

Australia’s public broadcaster ABC aired footage showing multiple people lying on the ground following the shooting. A local resident told Australian media that he saw several victims and significant bloodshed at the scene.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said those attacked had gathered on the beach to light the first candle of Hanukkah, calling the incident a terrorist attack targeting Jewish worshippers.

Bondi Beach, a world-renowned destination, is typically crowded with locals and tourists, particularly during warm summer weekends.

An aerial view of emergency personnel working at the scene of a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, December 14, 2025, in this screen grab from a video. NINE NETWORK/SEVEN NETWORK/AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. AUSTRALIA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN AUSTRALIA. NEW ZEALAND OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN NEW ZEALAND. PAPUA NEW GUINEA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA. No use Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea-based internet sites, mobile platforms or sites of media organisations based in those countries, NVO clients/ smh.com.au/ news.com.au.

Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told Sky News that the incident was “horrific,” adding that his media adviser was among those wounded.

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show people fleeing the beach and surrounding park as gunshots rang out and police sirens sounded. One video showed a man in dark clothing firing a weapon before being tackled by a bystander, while another appeared to show police restraining suspects and attempting to resuscitate one individual.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.