Australian police have reported the arrest of two people this Sunday following a mass shooting on Bondi Beach, in the city of Sydney, and have urged the public to avoid the area. At least a dozen people have been injured by the shots, fired while the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah was being celebrated. Dozens of ambulances and police vehicles have arrived in the area. A journalist from the Australian news network ABC has reported from police sources that there are several fatalities, but there is still no official confirmation.
“I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere,” said a 30-year-old local resident who witnessed the shooting. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Judaism, told Sky News in an interview that the shooting occurred during a beach event celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which began at sunset. “This is the Jewish community at its finest, coming together to celebrate a joyous occasion. If we were deliberately attacked like this, it’s on a magnitude that none of us could have imagined. It’s a horrible thing.”
The images circulating on the networks show at least dozens of people being treated and receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a green area next to the beach entrances. In several videos circulating on the internet, recorded a few minutes earlier from outside, two individuals armed with rifles are seen shooting from a small entrance bridge to the beach. One dresses completely in black; the other, with a dark t-shirt and white pants.
These two men would be the ones subsequently arrested by the Australian police. Their state of health and whether they have been shot by the agents deployed to the area are unknown.
“Anyone at the scene should take shelter,” the New South Wales police posted on network
In one of the recordings you can see how the shooters continue shooting from the catwalk while the police cars approach from behind.
The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has been informed at all times about the development of the incident, as confirmed by a spokesperson to ABC. The head of government has issued a statement in which he regrets the “shocking and distressing scenes” that have come from Bondi and has confirmed injuries after the event. “Police and Emergency services are working on the ground to save lives. My condolences are with every person affected. We are working with the New South Wales Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed,” he said.
