Image source, AFP via Getty Images

• Police responded to reports of gunfire at Bondi Beach at around 18:47 local time (07:47 GMT); an event marking the first night of Hanukkah was happening nearby, with more than 1,000 in attendance
• Ten minutes later, police issued a statement urging people at the scene to take shelter and other members of the public to avoid the area
• Around the same time, local media began reporting people "on the ground" in the vicinity of Campbell Parade
• A video verified by the BBC appears to show two gunmen firing from a small bridge which crosses from the car park on Campbell Parade towards the beach; in another video, a man is shown wrestling a gun from one of the attackers
• Police held a news conference around 22:00 local time, confirming 11 people have been killed as well as one of two gunmen, with the other in custody; 29 people were taken to hospital
• Police confirmed the attack was designed to target Sydney's Jewish community and they are treating it as a terror attack

In October, Rabbi Schlanger - whose family has identified him as one of those killed in today's shooting - spoke to the Australian Jewish News outlet, external after the attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester.

• As a reminder, two people were killed and a suspected terrorist shot dead by police after a car was driven at pedestrians outside the synagogue in north Manchester

Schlanger, who told the outlet that his great uncle Leslie had been the rabbi of the synagogue for more than 35 years, was asked if he was worried about a similar attack happening in Australia.

Schlanger replied that he put his “full trust in Hashem that nothing will happen".

Video gives clearest picture yet of how attack was carried outpublished at 16:11 GMT 14 December 2025

16:11 GMT 14 December 2025

By Benedict Garman

A nearly 11-minute continuous video, filmed from about 50 metres away, reveals how the attack on the Hanukkah celebration unfolded and how police and bystanders responded.

It’s unclear how soon the recording began after the attack started, but it opens with one gunman already on the footbridge between Campbell Parade and Archer Park while the second, in distinctive white trousers and a backpack, shoots at a fleeing person.

The pair then direct sustained fire towards the event. The attacker on the bridge fires almost continuously, occasionally repositioning a spare long-barrelled gun at his feet. He descends the bridge stairs towards Archer Park only once, and for less than ten seconds, before returning to his elevated position. In the nearly six minutes before he is shot, he pauses only to reload and to threaten people who stray too close on Campbell Parade.

The second attacker crosses the bridge and moves towards a tree roughly 30 metres from the Hannukah gathering. He continues firing until separate verified footage shows him being disarmed by a bystander and he returns to the bridge, picking up the spare weapon.

A police vehicle passes within the first 22 seconds of the video, and there are sirens sounding throughout, but after two minutes, witnesses can be heard shouting ‘Where are the cops?’

It’s more than four minutes into the video before incoming shots targeting the attackers strike the bridge. About 30 seconds later, the attacker in white trousers is hit first and collapses. About a minute later the remaining gunman is also shot, drawing cheers from onlookers.

The aftermath is chaos. People run onto the bridge despite shouted warnings, some attacking the injured gunmen and clashing with each other.

The first police officer steps onto the bridge after seven minutes, closely followed by others who work to restrain bystanders and clear the scene. Police vehicles arrive, and in the final minute the camera turns briefly towards the Hanukkah event where people are tending to victims.

Warning: This post contains distressing content.

Drone footage shared on social media platform X appears to show the attackers on a bridge.

One can be seen firing shots. Another lies still on the bridge and does not appear to be moving.

Earlier on Sunday, police said one gunman had been killed while a second suspect was in a critical condition.

In a joint statement on X, external, the Australian National Imams Council and the Council of Imams NSW (New South Wales) say that they alongside the Australian Muslim community "unequivocally condemn the horrific shootings in Bondi".

"These acts of violence and crimes have no place in our society. Those responsible must be held fully accountable and face the full force of the law," they continue.

The statement adds that "our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack".

"This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity, rejecting violence in all its forms".

Lucy Manning
Special correspondent

More now from Rabbi Zalman Lewis, the first cousin of Eli Schlanger.

Rabbi Lewis tells BBC News that people should “spread light” by doing charitable acts in his cousin’s name.

“I know how he would have been reacting and it was something he said recently," he says.

"Every human being on earth has a positive way to contribute to making the world a better place, and we just have to keep spreading light. The world is a positive place and we need to show that and I know Eli would be saying that.”

He says that Rabbi Schlanger was born in north-west London and moved with his family as a child to New York before marrying an Australian.

“He was incredibly vivacious. He was was full of life, a really pleasant, warm person who really loved helping people and was always a real joy to chat with.”

Lucy Manning
Special correspondent

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a British-born rabbi, was killed in the Bondi attack, his family has confirmed.

The 41-year-old was a father of five, with a son born in October.

Rabbi Zalman Lewis, his first cousin from Brighton, tells BBC News that Schlanger was “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm outgoing person who loved to help people".

Katy Watson
Australia correspondent

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Australia prides itself on being a safe country - just this weekend I was having this conversation with neighbours about how much they loved Sydney because they felt it was so safe.

There’s no other big city quite like it, they said. But that image is being shattered and residents are in disbelief.

Today's attack comes less than two years after another nearby tragedy. In April last year, nearby Bondi Junction was rocked by a mass stabbing at a shopping centre.

People were in shock – "This sort of thing just doesn’t happen here," people kept saying.

Now, another brutal attack on innocent people enjoying a weekend on the beach. Bondi is a part of Sydney so loved by both tourists and Sydneysiders alike.

This attack hits hard.

King Charles III has said he and Queen Camilla are "appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people" 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," he says in a statement.

The King also commends the 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," he adds.

In a post on social media, the Prince and Princess of Wales also send their "deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives", adding that they "stand with the Jewish community in grief".

An Israeli citizen was among those killed during the attack on the Jewish community at Sydney's Bondi Beach, according to multiple reports citing the Israeli foreign ministry.

Eleven people were killed in the shooting on Sunday, as well as one of the attackers.

Image source, PA Media

Following today's attack on Sydney, the Met Police acknowledges that Jewish communities in London will be feeling "heightened concern about safety" - particularly as they come together to celebrate Hannukah.

Police say there is "no information to suggest any link" between today's attack and the threat level in London but confirm in a statement that they are "stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community".

Meanwhile, Police Scotland say they are "actively communicating with faith leaders" following the attack in Australia.

The police add there is "no specific threat" and they are already carrying out "additional and dedicated patrols around synagogues and other Jewish venues" as part of a plan for the Jewish festival.

As we've been reporting, Sunday's attack took place as an event was being held at Bondi Beach to mark the first night of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah (or Chanukah in a more traditional transliteration from Hebrew) is the Jewish festival of light. Historically, it marks the Jews winning a battle against the Greeks more than 2,000 years ago to practise their religion freely.

It lasts for eight days and starts on the 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar.

It is celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting as well as playing dreidel and singing songs, while children receive gifts and Hanukkah money called gelt.

Lucy Manning
Special correspondent

With British Jews killed and injured in the Heaton Park Synagogue attack in Manchester on Yom Kippur in October, the UK’s Jewish Leadership Council - which represents the largest Jewish communal organisations - has called on the police and government to protect Jewish events here celebrating Hanukkah.

The Jewish festival starts this evening and lasts for eight days.

"Chanukah is a joyous festival, when Jewish communities gather at public locations around the world to share the light. We are devastated and angered that in Sydney, Jews appear to have been targeted once again for being Jewish," it says.

"We know that such hatred also exists in this country, as we are still reeling from the attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur.

"As we prepare to celebrate Chanukah over the next eight nights, we call on government and law enforcement to work with our community to protect Jewish life in the UK and ensure that events this week can go ahead safely. We must not let hatred extinguish the festival of light."

Tiffanie Turnbull
BBC News, Sydney

There’s a lot police can’t - or won’t - say yet.

One question they did answer: They said this was very clearly a terrorist attack.

Who the gunmen are - how many of them even - and their motive is still unclear.

Officials wouldn’t answer any questions about those who died either, out of respect for families who are still being notified.

“It’s too early to give that information,” was the most frequent refrain.

But Commissioner Mal Lanyon sought to assure the public, especially the Jewish community, they’re throwing everything at this investigation.

Tessa Wong
Reporting from Bondi Beach

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Today's incident has taken place in the quiet residential area of North Bondi, known to be the more family-friendly section of the world famous beach.

Many families with young children live here as well as young couples.

The Jewish festival was being held on a green right next to a large playground and just across the road is a primary school.

It is also right by the main stretch of restaurants and gelato shops, and wading pools for kids.

Just hours ago the streets in the area were filled with thousands of people, young and old, enjoying the sunny weather.

Now they are empty, save for the numerous police vehicles, as the neighbourhood reels from the shocking attack.

Image source, Getty Images

The BBC's Katy Watson has been speaking to eyewitnesses from the scene in Bondi.

Nico is from the US but has lived in Bondi for the past six months. He was walking to meet friends and go surfing when he heard "a bunch of pops" and people started sprinting in all directions.

He thought it might be firecrackers initially.

Nico didn't see the gunman but says the shots "felt really close". His reaction was: "Just run."

While police arrived "pretty quick", it felt like the shots were going off for an "eternity", he says.

British man Fin Green also thought he heard fireworks going off. He was in his apartment at the time and went to the window to look out.

He says he saw a man on top of a white car "letting shots off". He also says he saw people being shot down.

Others started "running and screaming", heading towards his apartment block.

Green says he shut his blinds and hid in his wardrobe, trying to stay as secure as he could.

Image source, Getty Images

If you're just joining us, here are the key things you need to know about today's shooting at Bondi Beach:

• Eleven people have died - as well as one of two gunmen - in what police have declared a terrorist incident at Bondi Beach targeting the Jewish community. The second gunman is in custody
• A child is believed to be among 29 others taken to hospital in serious conditions, as are two police officers
• Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found in a car linked to one of the gunmen - they are being removed from the scene
• Eyewitnesses described seeing "bodies lying on the floor" - while BBC Verify has verified footage showing at least seven bodies on the ground at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach Park
• Footage showed a man, who has been described as a "hero", wrestling the gun away from one of the attackers
• Police say they were aware of one of the suspects and are investigating if there was a third gunman involved

• Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Bondi Beach shooting was an "act of evil antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation"
• Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the shooting a "very cruel attack on Jews", while Keir Starmer said the UK "will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community"

Image source, DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images

Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry - a body representing the Australian Jewish community - says his family and friends are "among the dead" at the Bondi Beach attack.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend, he says one of the people killed "is a very, very dear friend of mine who became a father again about a month ago".

He describes his friend as "the most luminous, present, joyful human being that I think I have ever met and now his son, born a month ago, will be raised without a father".

He also recalls consoling a four-year-old girl "with her face painted like a lioness" at the scene, who had become separated from her parents during the incident.

Ryvchin says: "We were fearful for the worst, that her parents were among the victims. Fortunately, we were able to reunite them shortly after. People planned to massacre that little girl and people like her."

As we reported earlier, police said they were "aware" of one of the alleged shooters but they had "very, very little knowledge" of him.

Now, Australia's spy chief Mike Burgess says it is too early to give any details about whether the suspected gunmen were on the security services' radar.

But he goes on to say: "One of these individuals was known to us but not [from] an immediate threat perspective so obviously we need to look at what happened."

Image source, Reuters

A nearby restaurant worker has described the moment he heard multiple shots go off in Bondi Beach.

"I knew it was gunshots immediately," William Doliente Petty tells Reuters news agency.

The 18-year-old says he saw people start running but didn't realise the severity of the event at first. Shortly after, he says, all of the customers at the restaurant stood up and began to run towards the back exit.

"Everyone was pushing everyone. There was no semblance, and we just ran in through."