Sydney [Australia], December 15: Witnesses to the approximately 10-minute shooting at Bondi Beach (Sydney, Australia) described scenes of chaos, continuous gunfire, and hundreds of people fleeing in panic, as authorities investigate the incident as a terrorist act.
Many witnesses described "continuous gunfire." Sergi Canovas, who had just left the beach with his family, said they were eating at a nearby restaurant when they had to hide under a table. As the gunfire continued, the whole family crawled through the kitchen and ran into the backyard. "A woman opened the door for us to take shelter. Everyone closed the doors and waited in fear," he told The Guardian on December 14.
Meanwhile, Jesse Lockhart-Krause, a local resident and volunteer beach lifeguard, said he initially thought it was fireworks until he saw birds scattering and people fleeing. The shooting occurred near a parking lot next to a children's playground and surf club. Several volunteers brought medical supplies, oxygen tanks , and defibrillators to assist the victims.
Abdullah Ashrof said he saw two gunmen on the bridge while driving through the area. He stopped to help the injured, including a police officer who had been shot . "The officer was very brave, trying to stay conscious. We held his hand, bandaged it, and pressed on the wound to stop the bleeding," Ashrof told The Guardian .
"I was packing up to go home when I heard gunshots. At first, we thought it was fireworks. But after a few shots, everyone started running. Everyone panicked, leaving their sandals and bags behind and rushing up the hill. I estimate I heard about 40 or 50 shots," Marcos Carvalho, 38, a resident of Bondi Junction, told Reuters.
Grace Mathew, who lives near the scene, said she saw panicked crowds running past. "At first you just think it's a beautiful day at the beach. Then people start shouting that there's a shooting, that people are being killed," she said.
Prior to the incident, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the event on the evening of December 14th, calling it an "unimaginable act" and stating that authorities were investigating it as a terrorist act. He emphasized that the attack was believed to have targeted the Jewish community in Sydney on the first day of Hanukkah, and pledged to mobilize all necessary resources to protect this community and bring those responsible to justice.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the Bondi shooting "horrific" and offered condolences to the families of the victims. Meanwhile, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon urged the public to remain calm while police investigated the shooting.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has pledged a "full investigation" into any possible missteps in intelligence or police procedures leading up to the Bondi Beach attack.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
