Bondi beach shooting was 'targeted terror attack' on Jewish community, Albanese confirms
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday said a deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, during Hanukkah celebration, was a targeted attack aimed at the Jewish community, describing the violence as “beyond comprehension”.
“This is a targeted attack on the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah,” Albanese said, according to Reuters, referring to the shooting at the “Hanukkah by the Sea” event.
At least 12 people have been confirmed dead since the attack was first reported, with some reports indicating that one of the shooters is among those who lost their lives in the incident. ET couldn't independently verify the latter claim.
Calling the incident a terrorist act, Albanese said, “There has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration.”
He added that “the evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension,” and that police and security agencies were working to identify anyone linked to the attack, as quoted by Reuters.
Bondi Beach Shooting: At least 12 dead, several injured in 'terrorist incident' on Australian beach, 2 arrested
Australian police earlier said the shooting met the threshold for terrorism under state law. “As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight at 9:36 pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident,” New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a news conference, according to AFP.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the attack was deliberately aimed at Sydney’s Jewish community. Of the 12 people killed, one offender was also shot dead by police, while another suspect is in custody, he said.
“What should have been a night of peace and joy was shattered by a horrifying, evil attack,” Minns said, adding that the violence was “designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community”, the BBC quoted Minns as saying.
“This is a targeted attack on the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah,” Albanese said, according to Reuters, referring to the shooting at the “Hanukkah by the Sea” event.
At least 12 people have been confirmed dead since the attack was first reported, with some reports indicating that one of the shooters is among those who lost their lives in the incident. ET couldn't independently verify the latter claim.
Calling the incident a terrorist act, Albanese said, “There has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration.”
He added that “the evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension,” and that police and security agencies were working to identify anyone linked to the attack, as quoted by Reuters.
Bondi Beach Shooting: At least 12 dead, several injured in 'terrorist incident' on Australian beach, 2 arrested
Australian police earlier said the shooting met the threshold for terrorism under state law. “As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight at 9:36 pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident,” New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a news conference, according to AFP.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the attack was deliberately aimed at Sydney’s Jewish community. Of the 12 people killed, one offender was also shot dead by police, while another suspect is in custody, he said.
“What should have been a night of peace and joy was shattered by a horrifying, evil attack,” Minns said, adding that the violence was “designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community”, the BBC quoted Minns as saying.
Next Story