The first calls came in around 6:45 p.m. local time (8:45 a.m. Swedish time). People calling the alarm reported gunfire on the popular tourist beach Bondi Beach. Police are urging people to stay away from the area and seek shelter.
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Social media is quickly flooded with footage of the shooting and people fleeing the beach in panic. Initially, however, it is very unclear what happened. Police are urging the public not to spread unverified information.
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One of the most widely shared clips on social media shows a man sneaking up on a shooter from behind and disarming him. After a seven-second struggle, the man manages to wrest the gun from the hands of the alleged perpetrator, who falls to the ground.
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Shortly after 11 a.m. Swedish time, the police confirm that nine people have been killed, and that a suspected perpetrator is also dead.
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About an hour later, police and state Premier Chris Minns hold a press conference where they say the incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack. A Jewish family festival with hundreds of people was taking place on the beach.
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During the press conference, it is announced that the death toll has risen to eleven, plus the suspected shooter. Another suspected shooter has critical injuries. One of the suspects was known to intelligence agencies, according to ABC News. Police also announce that about 30 people are injured, including two police officers.
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Several explosive devices have also been found in a car near the beach, the police announced at the press conference. Chris Minns also comments on the man who stopped one of the perpetrators, calling him "a true hero."
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on the attack. “This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy,” he said.
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The death toll rose to 16 at 8pm Swedish time, it is unclear whether the dead perpetrator is included. 14 people were killed at the scene, police said. A ten-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man died of their injuries in hospital. Another 40 people were injured in the attack, five of whom are still in critical condition. Four children are being treated at Sydney Children's Hospital, according to state Health Minister Ryan Park. Two police officers are being treated for gunshot wounds, their condition is described as serious to stable. The age range of the victims is between ten and 87, according to police.
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The perpetrator who was shot dead by police was a man in his 50s, police said. The second shooter, a 24-year-old man, was seriously injured and is being treated in hospital. Three firearms were found at the scene of the crime. An extensive crime scene investigation is ongoing Monday morning local time.
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There was no information on Sunday evening about any Swedes affected, the Swedish Foreign Ministry told TT. Among the dead is a rabbi born in Britain, according to the BBC, and a French citizen, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. According to Israel's Foreign Ministry, one of the dead is an Israeli citizen.
