Australian police say the deadly attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney was inspired by the extremist group Islamic State (IS). The attack happened on Sunday evening during a Jewish festival celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.
According to police, two men — a father and his son, Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24 — opened fire on a large crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered at Archer Park near Bondi Beach at around 6:47pm. Fifteen people were killed, including children and elderly victims, and dozens were injured.
New South Wales Health confirmed that 25 people are still in hospital, with six in critical condition. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene. His son, Naveed, was seriously injured, placed in a coma, and later woke up. Police say he is expected to survive and will face criminal charges.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said early investigations show the attack was a terrorist act inspired by Islamic State ideology. She said the suspects appeared to have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon revealed that a vehicle linked to the younger suspect contained homemade explosive devices and two homemade Islamic State flags. Police are also investigating a recent trip the two suspects made to the Philippines, where they are believed to have travelled in November. Reports suggest they may have received militant training, but investigations are still ongoing.
Authorities also clarified that Sajid Akram legally held a gun licence issued in 2023. Police are now reviewing how the weapons were obtained and used.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly condemned the attack, describing Islamic State as a “radical and evil distortion of Islam.” He said the attack was meant to spread fear and division but would not succeed.
“These antisemitic terrorist acts will not divide us. Australians will stand together,” Mr Albanese said.
The Prime Minister also praised a local shop owner, Ahmed al Ahmed, who was filmed bravely confronting and disarming one of the attackers. Ahmed was injured in the process and is currently in hospital. Mr Albanese described him as a national hero who saved many lives.
Among the victims were people aged between 10 and 87 years. One of those killed was British-born assistant rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41. The youngest victim was a 10-year-old girl named Matilda.
Two police officers were also shot during the attack and remain in hospital.
Following the incident, state and federal leaders have promised to tighten gun laws across Australia. Proposed measures include limiting the number of guns an individual can own, restricting certain types of firearms, and making Australian citizenship a requirement for holding a gun licence.
Police investigations are continuing as the nation mourns the victims of one of the deadliest terror attacks in Australia in recent years.
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