Dramatic moment heroic bystander disarms Bondi Beach attacker

This is the moment a man wrestled a gunman to the ground before aiming his own gun back at the attacker.

At least twelve people have been confirmed dead after gunmen opened fire on Bondi beach in Sydney today, with at least 29 taken to hospital with injuries.

The attack on a Jewish Chanukah celebration has now been declared a terror incident.

A clip showed the moment a civilian took matters into his own hands and lunged at the attacker, seizing his weapon and pointing it back at him.

The suspect can then be seen walking away along the beach, as the sound of gunshots continues to ring out.

Thousands of people were also shown running off the beach in swim shorts and wrapped in towels as they heard gunshots.

Among those killed was a rabbi leading a family event on the beach. One of the gunmen also died in the incident, while another is in custody.

Two police officers were also injured in the attack.

People were advised to take cover and avoid the area as officers handled the developing situation.

Bondi beach is a popular spot with both tourists and expats.

The shooting occurred during a ‘Chanukah by the sea’ event organised by Chabad, which confirmed that one of victims was assistant Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

Today marks the start of the eight-day Jewish festival of light.

Australian PM Anthony Albanese said in a press conference the attack was an ‘an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism’.

‘This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith’, he said.

‘There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it.

‘Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith at this dark moment for our nation.

‘Our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage.’

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said in a statement: ‘We are devastated to hear reports of a shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, with multiple fatalities at a Jewish Hanukkah event.

‘While details emerge, we have been in touch with our Australian partners at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry to express our solidarity and offer our support.

‘We have also been in touch with the UK Government, who are monitoring the situation closely, to discuss the UK response.

‘The scourges of terrorism and antisemitism are shared, international challenges and need concerted and determined action to defeat them.’

New South Wales Police said in a statement: ‘Emergency services were called to Campbell Parade about 6.45pm (Sunday December 14 local time), responding to reports of shots being fired.

‘Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended assisted by multiple resources across the city.

‘A number of suspicious items located in the vicinity are being examined by specialist officers and an exclusion zone is in place.

‘A multi-agency response is continuing.

‘An extensive crime scene has been established and inquiries are now under way.

‘There have been no reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to this incident.”

Sir Keir Starmer said he was being updated on the ‘deeply distressing’ situation in Sydney.

British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she would discuss the issue with her Australian counterpart later today.

She told BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: ‘I’ve just seen the breaking news as I’ve arrived into the studio here this morning.

‘I can fully understand the anxiety this might be causing people here at home about relatives over in Australia, but first and foremost, our thoughts must be with the victims of this attack in Australia and with with the Australian people as well.

‘We will obviously watch closely as details emerge of what exactly has happened, and I’ll be talking to my Australian counterpart later on today.’

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