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12 dead in Bondi Beach shooting in Australia as Jewish crowd gathered to celebrate Hanukkah

The police were reportedly urging the public to avoid the area, and emergency services were at the scene.

3 min readUpdated: Dec 14, 2025 04:58 PM IST

Authorities said a bomb disposal unit is currently working on several suspected improvised explosive devices.

Australian Police has declared the deadly shooting at Bondi Beach a terror attack. At least 12 people have been killed after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd that had gathered at Australia’s famous beach to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Police said the counter-terrorism command will lead the probe with investigators from the state crime command. “No stone will be left unturned,” the official said.

Australia has experienced a string of antisemitic attacks on synagogues, buildings and cars since the beginning of Israel’s war in Gaza in October 2023. Witnesses said the shooting at the famed beach on a hot summer’s evening lasted about 10 minutes, sending beachgoers scattering along the sand and into nearby streets and parks.

Authorities said a bomb disposal unit is currently working on several suspected improvised explosive devices.

Earlier on Sunday (December 14), police had said that they were responding to a developing incident at Sydney’s Bondi Beach where multiple shots were fired.

The police were reportedly urging the public to avoid the area, and emergency services were at the scene.

“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,” the New South Wales police said in a post on X.

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In another post, the police said that two people were taken into custody and the operation was ongoing.

“Two people are in police custody at Bondi Beach; however, the police operation is ongoing, and we continue to urge people to avoid the area. Please obey ALL police directions. Do not cross police lines,” the police said.

Two people are in police custody at Bondi Beach; however, the police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area. Please obey ALL police directions. Do not cross police lines.

— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) December 14, 2025

Witnesses reported hearing up to 50 gunshots in Bondi, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

“We are aware of an active security situation in Bondi. We urge people in the vicinity to follow information from NSW Police,” said a spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

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