Bondi Beach shocker: 12 people shot dead

As mass shooting was reported at Australia's Bondi Beach on Sunday, Australian police said that at least 12 people have lost their lives, leaving several other injured in the deadly 'terrorist incident'. The police has taken two people into custody."Ten people have been confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the shooters. The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition. At this time, a further 11 people are reported to be injured, two of whom are police officers," New South Wales Police said in a statement.Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Australia. He extended his condolences to families of the people who lost their lives in the incident."Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah," Modi said. "On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief."He noted that India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism.Also read: Bondi beach shooting was 'targeted terror attack' on Jewish community, Albanese confirms"As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight at 9:36 pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident," New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a news conference. The Counter-Terrorism Command of Austalia Police will lead the investigation with investigator from the State Crime Command. "No stone will be left unturned," the police said.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">UPDATE: A police operation is ongoing after a public place shooting by two men at Bondi Beach earlier today.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br />Ten people have been confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the shooters. The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br />At this time, a further… <a href="https://t.co/lekTjxqf85">https://t.co/lekTjxqf85</a><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br />— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/nswpolice/status/2000143966101246353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />Australian police, in a briefing, said an "improvised explosive device" had been found in a car linked to a suspect in a deadly shooting Sunday at Sydney's Bondi Beach."We have found an improvised explosive device in a car which is linked to the deceased offender," NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a news conference. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the reports and images emerging from Bondi were deeply distressing. "Police and emergency services are responding, and the public should follow official advice," he said in a statement. "We will update the public as soon as more information becomes available."In a press briefing, Minns said, "This is a massive, complex and just beginning investigation." The police is investigating if there is a thirf offender too. The bomb disposal unit of police is currently working on several suspected improvised explosive devices.An official told AP that the attack was targetted at the Jewish community."The police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area," New South Wales police state in a post on X. New South Wales ambulance spokerperson told Reuters that 13 people have been taken to hospital.Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, issued an official statement in light of the shooting at Bondi Beach calling it "shocking and distressing.""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..." Albanese said.The prime minister said that the evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is 'beyond comprehension'. "This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah," he told Reuters.After police confirmation, Albanese confirmed that there has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Hanukkah by the sea celebration.He has spoken to the AFP Commissioner and the NSW Premier. "We are working with the NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed," he said.He further urged the citizens in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police.Meanwhile, Australia's opposition leader said that the loss of life in Bondi Beach shooting 'significant'. There is no official confirmation of death toll related to the incident.“I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere,” 30-year-old local Harry Wilson, who witnessed the shooting, told the Herald, as reported by Reuters. As per a Sky News interview of Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the shooting happened at an event at the beach celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which began at sundown. "This is the Jewish community at its best coming together to mark a happy occasion. If we were targeted deliberately in this way, it's something of a scale that none of us could have ever fathomed. It's a horrific thing," he told the news channel, adding his media adviser had been wounded in the attack.Multiple videos circulating on social media platform X appeared to show people on Bondi Beach scattering as multiple gunshots and police sirens could be heard. Another video showed two men pressed onto the ground by uniformed police on a small pedestrian bridge near the beach. Officers could be seen trying to resuscitate on one of the men. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage."We are aware of an active security situation in Bondi. We urge people in the vicinity to follow information from NSW Police," a spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.The Bondi Beach attack came almost exactly 11 years after a lone gunman took 18 people hostage at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney. The attackers killed two hostages and the gunman after a 16-hour standoff.Reacting to the mass shooting incident, Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said the Jewish community had been targeted during a religious gathering on the first night of Chanukah. "This is a day of profound grief. Members of our community have been murdered. Others have been seriously injured. Families are shattered. A sacred moment of light has been turned into darkness," he said.He added, "Let me be clear. An attack on Jews celebrating their faith is an attack on Australia itself. It is an assault on our values, our social cohesion, and the basic right of people to gather without fear."Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin told Sky News that the annual Hanukkah event at Bondi and Dover Heights was attended by many families, and said that if the shooting was a targeted attack, it represented "our worst fears realised".A spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was aware of an "active security situation" at Bondi and urged people in the area to follow guidance issued by NSW Police.A major Australian Muslim organisation condemned the "horrific" shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach."Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack," the Australian National Imams Council said in a statement. "This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity," they added.(With inputs from agencies)