Sydney, Australia — At least 16 people have been killed and about 40 others injured after gunmen opened fire at a Jewish festival celebration near Sydney’s Bondi Beach, police in New South Wales said early Monday.
In an update posted on X (formerly Twitter), NSW Police confirmed the new casualty figures following the attack, which took place on Sunday during the event at the world-famous beach precinct.
“Police can confirm 16 people have died and 40 people remain in hospital following yesterday’s shooting at Bondi,” the brief statement read.
The police update did not clarify whether the death toll included any of the suspected shooters. Authorities have not yet released further details on the number of attackers, their identities, or a possible motive.
Emergency services rushed the wounded to nearby hospitals, where many remain in serious condition, according to officials. The festival, which was reportedly well attended by families and community members, was thrown into chaos as gunfire erupted, sending people fleeing for safety.
Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most popular tourist and residential areas, has rarely seen violence on this scale, and the shooting is likely to deepen concerns about security at large public and religious gatherings.
Police say investigations are ongoing and have appealed for witnesses, asking anyone with information, photos or video footage from the scene to come forward as they work to piece together how the attack unfolded.
