Father and son carried out a massacre in Sydney: 16 people killed

Australia has declared a period of mourning following a tragic shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney. On Sunday evening, during Hanukkah celebrations, armed attackers opened fire on the crowd. According to police, the crime was committed by a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son. Sixteen people were killed, and around 40 others sustained injuries of varying severity.

The incident occurred at 6:47 PM local time, when hundreds of people had gathered on the beach and in the nearby park, and more than a thousand guests were participating in Hanukkah events. Witnesses reported that the shooting lasted approximately ten minutes. The beach was crowded on the warm evening, which worsened the scale of the tragedy.

Police stated that the 50-year-old attacker was shot dead at the scene, while his 24-year-old son was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Among the injured were two police officers, who are in serious but stable condition. The ages of the victims range from 10 to 87 years old.

Video verified by the BBC shows two armed men firing at people for several minutes from a bridge leading to the beach. In another clip, a passerby is seen rushing one of the shooters and attempting to disarm him. The man was shot but managed to neutralize the attacker.

Authorities reported that the attackers’ vehicle may have contained improvised explosive devices. Police have classified the incident as a terrorist act and a targeted antisemitic attack on Sydney’s Jewish community. The government has increased security measures at all Jewish events and facilities.

The Prime Minister and state officials expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the injured. Sydney is facing one of its most tragic attacks in recent years, and the investigation is ongoing with the involvement of federal security services.