Source : the age
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Police have removed explosives found in a car on Campbell Parade, near where shots were fired from.
An exclusion zone set-up has been scaled back and declared a crime scene.
Allegra Spender, the Member for Wentworth – the electorate encompassing Bondi Beach – has released a statement. Here’s what she said.
“Our whole community is grieving tonight. This terrorist attack at Bondi Beach is an attack on what this country stands for. This is the first night of Chanukah – a Jewish festival of hope, resilience and tradition.
“This breaks my heart and breaks the hearts of all of us who love our diverse community and treasure the strong community of Jewish Australians who are such a vital part of Wentworth and our nation.
Member for Wentworth Allegra Spender.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“I urge everyone in the area to follow police directions. I know everyone in our community over coming days and weeks will come together to show support and strength. We all belong. We all have the right to live in peace and safety.
“I am waiting for further updates from authorities, and will have more to say as soon as I can. Right now, I send all of my love to the families of those killed and injured. I thank the police and health services and those heroic and caring Australians who have stepped up at this devastating moment.”
International student Rahemath Pasha held the hand of a female shooting victim as she waited for treatment.
Pasha, who has lived in Australia for two years, said he rushed into the crowd when he heard gunshots.
Rahemath Pasha helped multiple victims into ambulances after the mass shooting at Bondi Beach.Credit: Janie Barrett
Rahemath Pasha in the aftermath of the attack.Credit: Janie Barrett
“It was the first time I saw a human killing in front of my eyes,” he said.
Photos captured by Herald photographer Janie Barrett show the shock and disbelief written on Pasha’s face.
The head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Mike Burgess, said the national terrorism threat level remains at probable.
“I don’t see that changing at this stage,” Burgess said.
“Probable means there is a 50 per cent chance of an act of terror, and unfortunately, we’ve seen that horrific act occur tonight in Australia.”
Burgess, who is director-general at ASIO, added: “One incident by itself does not necessarily raise the threat level at a national level, but we keep that under constant review.”
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess (right) said the national terror threat level remains probable.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is speaking following the attack at Bondi Beach.
“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians, a day of joy, a celebration of faith,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks about the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated about this attack on our way of life.
“There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation, and let me be clear, we will eradicate it. Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity.
“Our security agencies will provide you with factual updates as quickly as possible.”
Albanese added that it was “an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation.”
“The evil that was unleashed today at Bondi Beach is beyond comprehension,” he said.
“The trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone’s worst nightmare. Australians have had their lives cruelly stolen and many have been injured.”
Several improvised explosive devices have been found in a car on Campbell Parade at Bondi Beach, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.
“We have our rescue bomb disposal unit there,” he said.
“They will take the appropriate action.”
The car was “linked to the deceased offender,” he said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns is providing an update on the Bondi mass shooting. Here’s what he told reporters at a press conference just now.
This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah.
Our heart bleeds for the Jewish community tonight. I can only imagine the pain that they’re feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday. It’s a responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australia’s Jewish community.
This is a massive, complex and just beginning investigation. It’s just begun, and there are things that tonight we don’t have the answers to. However, we do have answers to some crucial, crucial pieces of information for our wonderful city and our beautiful state.
The first one is the outpouring of love and support from ordinary Australians for Australia’s Jewish community. Secondly, today is another example of the enormous pressure and responsibility and danger that New South Wales Police regularly face as part of their job. They do it without faltering, and they didn’t falter. Today, we need them.
And thirdly, tonight saw extraordinary acts of personal courage and bravery of individuals in our community. I think it’s worth remembering that in all of this evil, in all of this sadness, there are still wonderful, brave Australians that are prepared to risk their lives to help them.
Julian Leeser, the federal MP for Berowra, has released a statement following the attack.
“Tonight’s unfolding terror attack at Bondi Beach, occurring on the first night of Chanukah, is a horrifying tragedy,” he said.
“For Australians, tonight has turned into one of grief and shock.
“We must come together, check in on one another, support our Jewish friends and offer comfort where it is needed.
“My heart goes out to those who were in Bondi, spending time with their family and friends, only to be confronted with fear and violence.
“Our Jewish community, which is known for its courage and stoicism, is shaken tonight.
“I want to thank the NSW Police officers, paramedics, other first responders and members of the public who moved swiftly to protect lives and secure the area under extremely difficult circumstances.
“Even in darkness, light endures. Tonight, the values at the heart of Chanukah matter more than ever.”
Leeser was the first Jewish person elected to the House of Representatives from NSW for the Liberal Party.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has declared the Bondi Beach shooting a terrorist incident.
“At 9.36pm, I declared this to be a terrorist incident,” he said.
Lanyon said he had authorised special powers to ensure that if there is a third offender – “and we are currently investigating that at the moment – we will make sure that we prevent any further activity.”
He confirmed one of the shooters was dead and a second shooter was in hospital.
Lanyon asked for calm in the community.
“We have police right around the city at the moment,” he said. “Our job is to respond to intelligence we get.”
Lanyon said there had been police patrolling the area and at the Jewish community event.
“The police responded quickly. The police have responded in numbers. We have a significant investigation under way at the moment.”
Twelve people have been confirmed dead, NSW Premier Chris Minns has said.
“As of now, there are at least 12 individuals that have been killed,” he said.
“One of the shooters has also been killed.”
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has clarified the 12 dead currently include one of the shooters.
