A festive Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach descended into tragedy and terror on Sunday evening when at least two gunmen opened fire on the crowd, resulting in twelve confirmed fatalities, including one assailant. The attack, which Australian authorities have officially declared an act of terrorism, also left 29 individuals hospitalized and two police officers wounded.
The incident unfolded at approximately 6:47 PM local time (07:47 GMT) as over 1,000 attendees gathered for the ‘Chanuka by the Sea 2025’ event organized by Chabad of Bondi. Eyewitness footage verified by the BBC depicts chaotic scenes of hundreds fleeing the coastline as gunfire erupted from a small bridge connecting the Campbell Parade parking lot to the beach.
Amidst the horror, a remarkable act of bravery emerged. Viral video evidence captures a civilian hero confronting one of the armed perpetrators, executing a tactical bear hug to disarm him. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns later hailed this individual as a ‘genuine hero,’ stating unequivocally that his actions saved ‘many, many lives.’
The response from law enforcement was immediate and extensive. NSW Police established an exclusion zone and deployed specialized units to investigate improvised explosive devices discovered in a vehicle connected to the deceased gunman. Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon vowed that ‘no stone will be left unturned’ in the ongoing investigation, while cautiously noting that the possibility of additional accomplices remains under active scrutiny.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a solemn address condemning the ‘act of evil antisemitism’ that targeted the Jewish community during their sacred festival. He simultaneously praised the extraordinary courage of ordinary Australians who ‘ran towards danger to help others,’ emphasizing that such heroism represented the nation’s true character.
This attack marks Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, profoundly shocking a nation where such violence remains exceptionally rare. The Bondi Beach area, typically vibrant with tourists and locals, remains under heavy police presence as investigations continue.