Sydney, Australia — A 10-year-old girl, Matilda Poltavchenko, was among those killed in a deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, as gunmen opened fire on a large crowd gathered for a “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration.

Authorities describe the incident as a terrorist attack targeting Sydney’s Jewish community, marking one of the deadliest mass shootings in Australia in nearly three decades.

Police say the violence erupted at approximately 6:45 p.m. local time along Campbell Parade, near Bondi Beach, where thousands of people had gathered at the end of a summer day.

Hundreds were attending the public Hanukkah event, which marked the beginning of the eight-day Jewish festival.

Witnesses reported hearing rapid gunfire shortly after 6:40 p.m., triggering panic as beachgoers fled the area.

Video recorded by bystanders shows people running from the shoreline as shots rang out. Other footage circulating online appears to show two men dressed in black firing long guns from a footbridge near the surf club.

Authorities confirmed that two gunmen opened fire, discharging dozens of rounds into the crowd.

Police provided varying casualty figures as the situation evolved, ultimately confirming:

• At least 12 people killed, including 10-year-old Matilda Poltavchenko
• More than 40 people injured, some critically
• Two police officers wounded

Among the dead was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi with Chabad of Bondi and one of the organizers of the Hanukkah event. Israel’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed that one Israeli citizen was killed, though no further details were released.

Authorities said:

• One attacker was fatally shot by police
• A second suspect was arrested and remains in critical condition
• One suspect was later identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram
• Police noted that one of the gunmen was known to security services, though there was no prior intelligence indicating an imminent threat

Investigators also discovered suspicious items, including suspected improvised explosive devices, inside a vehicle linked to one of the attackers.

In a widely shared video, a bystander can be seen tackling and disarming one of the gunmen.

Police later identified the individual as Ahmed Al Ahmed, a 43-year-old civilian who was shot twice during the confrontation. Authorities say he is expected to recover and have praised his actions as heroic.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as an antisemitic act of terrorism, stating that it struck “at the heart of the nation.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the attack was “designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community” and pledged that all available resources would be used to support victims and bring full accountability.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the scale of the injuries and said the investigation remained active, with counterterrorism units leading the inquiry.

The attack drew condemnation from leaders worldwide. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had posted Hanukkah greetings shortly before news of the shooting broke, later issued a statement expressing condolences. Australian leaders and Israel’s president publicly mourned the victims and denounced the violence.

Australia is home to approximately 117,000 Jewish residents, most of whom live in Sydney and Melbourne. Authorities note that antisemitic incidents have surged sharply over the past year, including assaults, vandalism, threats, and arson attacks targeting synagogues, homes, and businesses.

Officials emphasized that while the country maintains strict gun control laws, the Bondi Beach massacre represents a devastating breach of public safety and has sent shockwaves across the nation.

Police continue to examine evidence, analyze video footage, and interview witnesses as part of a counterterrorism investigation. Authorities have urged the public to avoid sharing unverified footage and to provide any relevant information to law enforcement.

As Sydney mourns, tributes have poured in for the victims — including young Matilda Poltavchenko — whose death has come to symbolize the profound human cost of the attack.