Tessa Wong
Reporting from Bondi Beach

I've just spoken to an eyewitness, Barry, who was attending the Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach.

He told me he was at the event with his kids when the sound of gunshots ran out. He said two men were on a bridge and they started shooting at the crowd. There were bodies on the ground, he said.

He and his children managed to run away and jumped into a friend's car and sped away. He said it was "unbelievable" that a shooting like this could happen at a Jewish event in Australia in this day and age.

We understand an event to mark the first day of the Jewish celebration Hanukkah was taking place on Bondi Beach.

A digital flyer for the event, named Chanuka by the Sea 2025, shows it was scheduled to take place near the beach's children's playground from 17:00 AEDT (06:00 GMT) on Sunday.

Organised by Jewish centre Chabad of Bondi, the event was set to feature live entertainment and activities "for all ages".

Two people are in police custody at Bondi Beach, New South Wales police have said in a statement shared on X.

The service adds that the police operation is ongoing and urges people to avoid the area.

We are still waiting for further details about the incident at Bondi Beach from authorities in Australia.

National broadcaster ABC reports that New South Wales Police are responding to reports of an active shooter at the site, one of the country's most iconic beaches.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Herald is citing reports of "multiple shots fired" at Bondi, adding that it is unclear if anyone has been injured.

The newspaper says residents have reported police cars streaming into the area, as well as people "on the ground" in the vicinity of Campbell Parade.

Meanwhile, 7News reports that locals reported hearing shots fired and seeing hundreds fleeing the beach.

We will bring you more details when we have them.

Reuters has just shared a statement from a spokesperson for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

It says: "We are aware of an active security situation in Bondi. We urge people in the vicinity to follow information from NSW Police".

As previously reported, NSW Police have advised the public to avoid the area and take shelter.

We've just seen this statement from New South Wales Police:

"Police are responding to a developing incident at Bondi Beach and are urging the public to AVOID the area.

"Anyone at the scene should take shelter. Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand."

This is a developing news story. We’ll be keeping an eye out for updates and will bring you more information here as soon as it lands.