Ten individuals, including one suspected gunman, have been confirmed dead after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach, Australia.
Police have verified that at least 12 others have sustained injuries in this tragic event, and two police officers were also hurt.
Footage from the incident, which the BBC has confirmed, shows two individuals firing from a bridge that leads from a car park to the beach.
The New South Wales ambulance service has stated that 18 people have been transported to the hospital after the attack, though their conditions have not been disclosed.
Additional individuals are receiving treatment from paramedics on the scene.
Authorities responded to emergency calls at approximately 6:45 pm local time and have taken two individuals into custody in connection with the incident.
They are also examining a ‘number of suspicious items’ found in the vicinity.
A statement from New South Wales Police reads: “An extensive crime scene has been established and inquiries are now underway. There have been NO reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to this incident.”
Following the tragedy, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement.
He said: “The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives.
“My thoughts are with every person affected. I just have spoken to the AFP Commissioner and the NSW Premier.
“We are working with NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed.
“I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police.”
Independent MP Allegra Spender, whose electorate includes Bondi Beach, a suburb of Sydney, also commented on the incident.
In her statement, she said: “This is horrifying. It’s still not clear exactly what has happened yet. The reporting is police have apprehended the perpetrators. I am urging people to follow police requests and avoid Bondi Beach.
“This is not the Australia that we know and love. I know our community will come together but this is devastating to all of us.”
The shooting took place while members of the Jewish community were gathering at the beach for an event marking the first night of Hanukkah.
Police have not yet determined if there is any connection between the shooting and this event.
The number of fatalities in this incident makes it the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, which claimed 35 lives.
In the aftermath of that attack, Australia enacted comprehensive firearm ownership reforms, including large-scale gun buybacks and stricter background checks.
As a result of these stringent laws, firearm-related deaths significantly decreased in Australia, making large-scale shootings like this one particularly shocking for the nation.