Witnesses described scenes of panic when at least two gunmen opened fire on attendees, forcing dozens of people to flee or seek shelter.
MIAMI.- At least 15 people died on Sunday after an armed attack against the Jewish community that was celebrating the first night of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia. The shooting occurred around 6:47 p.m. local time in a grassy area of Archer Park, where nearly 1,000 people had gathered to participate in a community event.
According to the authorities, the attack occurred less than two hours after the religious ceremony began, scheduled to begin at five in the afternoon. Witnesses described scenes of panic when at least two gunmen opened fire on attendees, forcing dozens of people to flee or seek shelter.
The victims
Among the deceased are a rabbi, a young man of French nationality and a 10-year-old girl. The minor, identified as Matilda, was rushed to a hospital after being injured, but died despite medical attempts to save her life. Relatives described her as a happy and affectionate girl.
Another victim was Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor, who died while trying to protect his wife from gunfire, according to the Chabad Jewish organization.
The attackers
New South Wales Police confirmed that the alleged perpetrators of the attack were a father and son. Commissioner Mal Lanyon reported that the man killed at the scene was 50 years old, while his son, 24, remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Local media identified them as Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram. The first emigrated to Australia in 1998 and the second was born in the country.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon suggested one of the shooters was known to authorities but there had been no specific threat. “He’s not someone we would have automatically been considering at this point,” he said.
The intervention of a civilian
During the shooting, a bystander managed to grab the gun from one of the attackers. This is Ahmed al Ahmed, 43 years old, son of Syrian refugees. Images spread on social networks show the moment in which he confronts the aggressor after taking cover behind a vehicle. Ahmed was filmed fighting with one of the attackers in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, the most popular beach in Sydney, Australia.
The video verified by the BBC shows him running towards the attacker and snatching his gun, before pointing it at him and forcing him to retreat. Ahmed was wounded by a gunshot and remains hospitalized.
The authorities highlighted his bravery. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said his intervention was decisive in preventing an even greater tragedy.
The threat of explosives and more used weapons
Following the attack, police established a security perimeter around a vehicle parked on Campbell Parade, which allegedly contained several improvised explosive devices. Specialist bomb disposal teams intervened in the car and later confirmed that the devices were safely removed.
Authorities seized six firearms belonging to the slain attacker. According to Commissioner Lanyon, the man had had a weapons license for approximately ten years and had no history of previous incidents related to their use.
Official reactions
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack a national tragedy and announced his intention to strengthen already strict firearms legislation, with new measures to tighten licensing requirements.
Authorities have said it is the worst mass shooting in Australia since the massacre nearly three decades ago, which led the country to implement some of the toughest gun control laws in the world.
