Police have confirmed 16 people have died and 40 people are injured in hospital following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia.
The terror attack, which took place on the first day of Hanukkah, saw a number of people shot dead by multiple gunmen, one of whom was killed by armed police.
The other gunman is understood to remain in serious condition.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed they will "make sure no stone is left unturned" as the force probes the possibility of a third gunman, adding police are investigating "thoroughly" any other people linked to the shooting.
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In the wake of the attack, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called a meeting of the country's national security council and condemned the attack, saying the evil that was unleashed was "beyond comprehension".
"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.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the attack was "designed to target Sydney's Jewish community".
He said there will be a "significant investigation" led by counter-terrorism, adding: "The fact that it is the first day of Hannukah, the types of weapons... some of the other items we found at the scene - we have found the improvised explosive device in a car which is linked to the deceased offender."
Police have confirmed 16 are now dead
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Videos circulating online shows two men in black clothes crossing a bridge at the beach, appearing to fire shots
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New South Wales Police said Bondi Beach will remain closed on Monday.
“Bondi Beach and surrounding roads in the Bondi area will be closed today as investigators continue to work through the crime scene. Aircrafts including drones are prohibited from flying over the crime scene,” a statement said.
A 10-year-old girl who died in hospital is among the 16 people who died in the Bondi Beach terror attack, New South Wales Police said.
The force added one gunman, aged 50, was shot by police and died at Bondi Beach while a second attacker, a 24-year-old man, suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.
In a press conference, Mr Lanyon confirmed the two gunmen were father and son.
The older gunman, who died after being shot by police, was licensed for six firearms and six were recovered from the scene.
Two “active devices” of “fairly basic” construction were found at the scene and were removed and made safe, Mr Lanyon said, adding: “I’m very glad that those devices were not activated.”
Commissioner Lanyon also said police are "aware" of one of the gunmen, but "that does not mean there was any specific threat posed by that person".
What should have been a "night of peace and joy" was "shattered" by a "horrifying, evil attack", he added.
There were more than 1,000 people in attendance at the event, Mr Lanyon confirmed, as they celebrated the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
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One of the gunmen has died, while the other remains in a serious condition
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Armed police shot dead one of the gunmen at the scene
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A festival, Chanukah by the Sea, had been advertised as a night of family fun, with children attending the event as the suspects opened fire.
Co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said: "I think this was very deliberate and very targeted."
He also said the incident occurred during the "family event".
NSW police were called to the area at around 6.47pm local time after reports of multiple people being shot.
They told people near the scene to "take shelter".
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, saying the evil that was unleashed was 'beyond comprehension'
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Hundreds could be seen fleeing the beach after the incident
|Videos circulating online show two men in black clothes crossing a bridge at the beach.
People can be heard shouting expletives as shots are fired.
More footage online shows one individual tackling one of the shooters to the ground and taking his rifle from him, meanwhile the other shooter continued to fire at bystanders.
Eyewitnesses have reported up to 50 gunshots heard, describing the scene as "chaos" with "everyone just running crazy".
Remarkable footage online appears to show one individual tackling one of the gunman and taking the rifle
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The incident took place on a bridge near Bondi Beach
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Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Australians were in "mourning" and that "hateful violence" had struck at the heart of the Bondi Beach community.
"The loss of life from this attack is significant and I join with the Prime Minister in urging all Australians to follow official advice from police and relevant authorities," she said.
"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 well."
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