A ten-year-old girl and British-born rabbi were among those killed in the terror attack, with 40 others still in hospital
Sixteen people, including a ten-year-old child and a British-born rabbi, have died and 40 remain in hospital after two gunmen targeted a Jewish celebration during a terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, police confirmed.
The gunmen, armed with what police have described as ‘long guns’, opened fire on the Archer Park area of the popular beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday (December 14), targeting a Hanukkah celebration the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, known as Chanukah. New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed that 40 remained in hospital, including four children, and that so far the death toll had reached 16.
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The range of ages of people who died is from 10 years old to 87, according to New South Wales Police. One gunman, aged 50, was shot by police and died at Bondi Beach while a second attacker, a 24-year-old man, suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard, New South Wales Police said.
British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, has been named as one of the victims. Alex Kleytman, a Ukrainian native who survived the genocide during World War Two, has also now been identified as a victim in the incident.
Father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, has been hailed a hero for tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling the weapon away from him. Video shared on social media shows the gunman then backing away.
His family have said that the 43-year-old fruit shop owner remains in hospital for bullet wounds to his arm and hand and called him a “100% hero”, while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised him as a “genuine hero”.
In a message to the people of Australia, the King said he was “appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack”. Charles, who is head of state in the Commonwealth nation and visited Bondi Beach in 2012, said in a statement: “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.
“In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia – and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival – will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.”
The family of London-born Eli Schlanger have described him as a “joyful rabbi”. The father-of-five grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family members at Kinloss Synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News.
The 41-year-old and his wife, Chayala, celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago. His cousin, Brighton-based Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told Jewish News: “How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?”
On Sunday, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told a press conference: “This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, what should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.”
He confirmed one of the gunmen has been killed while the other is in police custody. Malcolm Lanyon, the commissioner of New South Wales Police, said the injured, including two police officers, had been transported to hospitals around the Sydney area.
He said that ‘several improvised explosive devices’ had been found in a car at Bondi Beach linked to the deceased gunman which were being dealt by bomb disposal experts. He said: “If the police had had intelligence there was a risk to the community or to this event, we would have taken significant action.”
Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, said the Bondi Beach attack was “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism”, adding: “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.”
The mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said the Metropolitan Police is increasing its visibility in Jewish communities ahead of any Hanukkah events. Greater Manchester Police also confirmed there would be increased patrols to protect the Jewish communities in Greater Manchester.
The Prime Minister is understood to have been in touch with Mr Albanese and the CST (Community Security Trust), a charity which provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK. Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X: “Chanukah should be a time of celebration and joy.
“The news that the Bondi Beach attack was an antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish families at a Chanukah event is sickening. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. The United Kingdom will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community. We are actively working with the CST on the policing of Chanukah events.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has told any British people caught up in the Bondi Beach shooting to contact the consulate for support.
