What we know so far about mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach | World News

At least 12 people have been killed after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

Here is what we know so far about what happened.

Latest updates on shooting

How many people were killed or injured?

In addition to 12 fatalities, at least 29 people have been injured, including a child and two police officers.

A man believed to be one of the gunmen was killed and another suspect is in custody in a critical condition.

New South Wales Police said the number of casualties was “expected to change”.

A spokesperson for the New South Wales Ambulance service earlier said 13 people were taken to hospital.

How did the shooting unfold?

Emergency services were called to Campbell Parade about 6.45pm on Sunday (7.45am UK time), responding to reports of shots being fired.

Police have declared it a “terrorist incident”.

Details are still emerging about exactly what happened.

One video shows two gunmen appearing to open fire from a small bridge overlooking the beach.

Another video shows crowds of people on the beach running away as they fled the scene.

Attack ‘targeted Jewish people’

More than 1,000 people had been attending an event on Bondi Beach celebrating the Jewish holy festival of Hanukkah at the time of the shooting, police said.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said: “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.”

The leader of Australia’s opposition Sussan Ley said the attack took place as “our Jewish community came together at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration”.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Jewish people who had gone to light the first candle of the Hanukkah holiday on the beach had been attacked by “vile terrorists”.

What have witnesses said?

Witnesses have described the terror and confusion as masses of people fled the beach.

“Thousands of people just like running. And I opened up the back gate to my friend’s cafe and just let everyone in,” one witness told 9News.

“Pregnant women, women with kids, just everyone’s running and just running.

“Like the whole it was just panic. It was pandemonium.”

Harry Wilson, who witnessed the shooting, told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere.”

Another witness, called Phil, told 9News: “We just heard what sounded like fireworks. The beach was absolutely packed. And then there were a lot of fireworks going off.

“Then suddenly we saw thousands of people just running this way. So we all just went inside, holed up in the toilets.

“I’ve got a friend that’s holed up in a basement now. Everybody went inside.”

Phil said he soon realised the sounds of fireworks were “more than that”.

“We’re a bit shaken,” he added.

‘Suspicious items located’

Police said their operation was “ongoing” and a “number of suspicious items located in the vicinity” were being examined by specialist officers. An exclusion zone was in place, they added.

How have politicians reacted?

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the scenes in Bondi were “shocking and distressing”.

He said in a statement: “Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives.

“My thoughts are with every person affected.”

Opposition leader Sussan Ley said: “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.”