'Act of evil antisemitism': Terrorist incident declared after 12 killed in Bondi Beach shooting — as it happened

We are closing our live coverage of the mass shooting at Bondi Beach and will return with more in the morning.

Here is what we know so far:

• Twelve people are confirmed dead after shooters opened fire on Bondi Beach just after sunset on Sunday, where a Hanukkah event was taking place.
• Authorities have confirmed that one of the shooters is among the dead, and a police officer has been killed. The other shooter is in police custody, and police are investigating whether a potential third offender could be involved.
• Twenty-nine people are being treated in hospital for injuries, with two police officers among the injured.
• Several improvised explosive devices have been found at the scene, where a rescue bomb disposal unit is currently attending. The explosives are located in a car linked to the deceased offender.
• NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the shooting as a terrorist incident, citing the timing of the event on the first night of Hanukkah, the types of weapons, and the explosive devices found at the scene.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the attack, calling it a "targeted attack on Jewish Australians" and told Jewish Australians that the country stands with them.

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— Cheyne Anderson

NSW Premier Chris Minns has heaped praise on the bystander who put his life in danger by wrestling one of the gunmen on the footpath and removing the shotgun.

"It's the most unbelievable scene," he said.

"That man is a genuine hero and I've got no doubt there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery."

Credit: Supplied

- Rashida Yosufzai

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is speaking at a press conference where he has called the attack a "dark moment for our nation".

"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, an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation."

"An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian will tonight be, like me, devastated by this attack on our way of life.

"The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone's worst nightmare.

"Australians have had their lives cruelly stolen and many have been injured. For all Australians, our first thoughts are with those in the terrible early hours of their grief."

- Cheyne Anderson

NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon said shortly after the shooting began, police found a car near the beach, which they believed contained "several improvised explosive devices".

"We have our rescue bomb disposal unit there at the moment working on that," he said.

"They will take the appropriate action."

- Rashida Yosufzai

NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon is speaking now.

He has declared the Bondi shooting a terrorist incident.

"Our counter-terrorism command will lead this investigation with investigators from the State Crime Command. No stone will be left unturned," he said.

"This type of disgraceful activity, this wanton use of violence, the taking of innocent lives is unacceptable to New South Wales.

- Cheyne Anderson

NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon said there will be a "significant investigation" as a result of the mass killings.

"This disgraceful act will not go unpunished," he said.

The forces' counter-terrorism command will lead the investigation with investigators from the State Crime Command.

"No stone will be left unturned. This type of disgraceful activity, this wanton use of violence, the taking of innocent lives is unacceptable to New South Wales," Lanyon said.

Lanyon said he could not confirm one of the shooters' identities, amid media reporting of a police operation at the alleged gunman's house in the suburb of Bonnyrigg.

He also could not confirm whether there are more accomplices.

"I cannot confirm there is a third offender, but I want to make sure there's no stone left unturned."

- Rashida Yosufzai

NSW Premier Chris Minns has confirmed 12 people have now been killed, describing the incident as a terrorist attack.

"This cowardly act of terrifying violence is shocking and painful to see and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney," he told reporters in Sydney.

"I'm very sadly need to report that as of now, there are at least 12 individuals that have been killed."

He said the attack was "designed to target Sydney's Jewish community" on the first day of Hanukkah.

Minns has vowed a "massive, comprehensive" police and public order response.

— Rashida Yosufzai

We are expecting NSW Police and Premier Chris Minns to hold a press conference. We will bring it to you live as soon as we can.

— David Aidone

A man has been praised for his heroic effort in wrestling a shotgun off one of the active shooters' hands.

Video shows the man hiding behind a car from the view of a gunman standing with the gun raised in his hands, on a footpath barely a few metres away.

The man in a white t-shirt then creeps up behind him to grab the gun before aiming it at the shooter, who then retreats away.

Credit: Supplied

- Rashida Yosufzai

The Australian National Imams Council and the Council of Imams NSW says the "Australian Muslim community unequivocally condemn the horrific shootings in Bondi".

"These acts of violence and crimes have no place in our society. Those responsible must be held fully accountable and face the full force of the law," they said in a statement.

"Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack. We acknowledge the pain, fear, and distress felt across the community and extend our sincere compassion and support to all who are grieving."

They urged all Australians to "stand together in unity, compassion and solidarity" and reject all forms of violence.

— David Aidone

Israel's embassy in Canberra has released a statement.

"We are appalled by the shooting attack targeting a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach," the statement read.

"Our hearts are with Australia's Jewish community. Hanukkah is a festival of light. Today feels unbearably dark. Solidarity alone is not enough — the Australian government must act decisively to protect Jewish life from antisemitic violence."

The embassy said Israel's ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, was returning from Israel following the "horrific news".

— David Aidone

Opposition leader Sussan Ley released a statement on the Bondi incident.

She said: "Australians are in deep mourning tonight, with hateful violence striking at the heart of an iconic Australian community, a place we all know so well and love, Bondi".

Ley said there was a "significant loss of life" in the attack and, along with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, urged Australians to follow advice from police and relevant authorities.

"This attack occurred as our Jewish community came together at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration. This was a celebration of peace and hope for the future, severed by hate.

"My heart is with Australia's Jewish community tonight, particularly those in the eastern suburbs of Sydney — people I know so well."

Greens leader Larissa Waters has also spoken, saying she was "devastated" by reports of multiple fatalities at Bondi.

"Everyone deserves to be safe, and shooting violence like this is heartbreaking and terrifying," she wrote on social media.

— David Aidone

10 people have been confirmed dead, nine of them were civilians, NSW Police have told media on the scene.

One of the dead included the shooter.

The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition.

Eleven people are reported to be injured, two of whom are police officers.

Specialist officers are examining a number of "suspicious items" located in the vicinity of the attack, and an exclusion zone is in place.

— Rashida Yosufzai

There are reports that there was a Hannukah event happening at the time of the shooting.

Israeli president Isaac Herzog has spoken at an event in Jerusalem, condemning the incident.

Herzog said it was "a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Hannukah on Bondi Beach".

He urged the government to fight the "enormous wave" of antisemitism.

"We repeat our alerts time and again to the Australian government to seek action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society," he said.

—Rashida Yosufzai

NSW Police said two people are in police custody at Bondi Beach.

The police operation is ongoing and people are being still urged to avoid the area, it added.

"Please obey ALL police directions. Do not cross police lines," NSW Police said.

— Rashida Yosufzai

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has released a statement.

He said the scenes at Bondi are "shocking and distressing".

"Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives," Albanese said. "My thoughts are with every person affected."

Albanese said he had spoken with AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett and NSW Premier Chris Minns.

"We are working with NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed," he said.

"I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police."

— David Aidone

Multiple videos posted to social media show two gunmen, standing on a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion, firing shots into a crowd.

The men could be seen firing guns into the crowd as people screamed.

- AAP

NSW Ambulance has told SBS News they are treating multiple patients.

Eight patients have been taken to hospital, including St Vincent's, RPA, Westmead and Royal North Shore.

Their conditions are unclear at this stage.

— Rashida Yosufzai