Tragedy Strikes Bondi Beach Hanukkah Festival: Chaos and Chaos Unfolds

Tue Dec 16 2025 01:12:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A night of celebration for the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach swiftly turns into a nightmare as gunfire erupts, leaving multiple fatalities and injuries.

What began as a joyous Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach turned tragic as gunmen opened fire, leading to chaos and panic. At least 15 people have been confirmed dead and many injured, with witnesses recounting harrowing tales of survival amidst the gunfire. A hero emerged in the form of a passerby who bravely intervened, earning praise from officials. The attack raises concerns over security and the motives behind it.

It was a night that promised to bring joy and light to Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach as crowds of Jewish families gathered at a park to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, also known as the festival of light.

They were among thousands of other swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers who had flocked to Australia's most famous beach on a scorching summer's afternoon.

But not long after the Hanukkah event kicked off at 17:00 local time and the first free donuts were doled out, festive music was drowned out by the sounds of screams and the echo of gunshots.

It's unclear exactly when the first shot was fired, but the initial call to police was made at 18:47. In the minutes that followed, two gunmen would kill at least 15 people, and injure dozens more, authorities said.

A local high school teacher, Chavi, told the BBC she dropped to the ground to protect her baby as bullets were flying above us.

It was pandemonium and chaos, another attendee, who identified himself as Barry, said as he described watching a throng of people trying to escape the scene that had suddenly devolved into a nightmare.

In one verified video, upbeat music from the Hanukkah event can still be heard while gunshots and screams echo in the background, creating a surreal contrast to the horror underway.

Panic soon spread from the park to the sand, where videos show terrified beachgoers sprinting away from the gunfire. Screams, honking car horns, and ambulance sirens filled the air in the next chaotic minutes.

Two men, named as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, were identified as the alleged gunmen. Within minutes, an unarmed passerby was able to wrestle a firearm from one of them, reportedly saving lives, while police engagement brought the situation to a halt.

The aftermath saw both gunmen injured by police gunfire; one was found dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing, focusing on the assailants' ties and potential motivations.

This tragic incident underscores the vulnerabilities even in festive gatherings and calls for heightened security measures during public holidays.