SYDNEY, Australia – A horrific shooting incident at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach has been officially declared an act of terrorism by Australian authorities, leaving 15 people dead and up to 40 injured. The attack, which unfolded during a Jewish festival, has sent shockwaves across Australia and drawn widespread condemnation from international leaders.
Initial reports indicated 12 fatalities, a number that tragically climbed to 15, including at least one assailant. Among the injured are two police officers and one of the attackers, who was apprehended following the rampage. Another attacker was killed in retaliatory gunfire at the scene. Explosive material was later discovered in a vehicle linked to one of the perpetrators.
Australian Interior Minister confirmed details regarding the attackers, stating that one individual involved had entered Australia on a student visa, while his son, also implicated in the attack, was born in Australia. Police have concluded their search for additional suspects, indicating that the immediate threat has been neutralized.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as “painful,” expressing the nation’s grief. The Australian Muslim community swiftly condemned the violence, with religious leaders asserting that such “violent and criminal acts have no place in society” and demanding full accountability for those responsible.
The attack has elicited a strong global response. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio unequivocally condemned the incident, offering prayers to the victims, the Jewish community, and the Australian people. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres conveyed his horror, specifically condemning the targeting of individuals gathered for a Jewish festival. The President of the European Union extended heartfelt condolences, affirming Europe’s solidarity with Australia and the Jewish community in the face of violence, antisemitism, and hatred.
Further condemnation came from Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ismail Baqai, who rejected terrorism and the “mass killing of humans wherever it occurs.” French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also voiced their sorrow and outrage, with Netanyahu labeling the incident “brutal.”
The horrific events at Bondi Beach underscore a grave threat to peace and security, prompting a unified international call for vigilance against extremism and intolerance. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the full scope of this tragic act of terror.
