Shots Fired On A Beach In Australia During Hanukkah Celebrations

(Updated) One of the shooters was disarmed by a random passerby.

Unknown persons opened fire at Bondi Beach in Sydney, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. According to Guardian Australia, at least twelve shots were fired. New South Wales state police said two people were detained and urged residents and tourists to avoid the area.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the beach was the site of an event celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler told the newspaper that a total of about 2,000 members of the Jewish community were on the beach.

Daily Mail quoted eyewitnesses as saying that the first shots rang out at 18:40 local time (10:40 Minsk time). The fire was opened by two men who arrived at the beach by car.

"Two people have been detained at Bondi Beach. The operation is ongoing and the public is urged to avoid the area," police later said.

More than two dozen emergency vehicles, including police and paramedics, arrived at the scene, the ABC reported. Information about casualties varies. The Jerusalem Post writes that the shooting left one person dead and several injured, including one police officer. According to the New South Wales Ambulance Service, six people were taken to hospital, the rest of the injured are being treated on the spot.

News.com sources in the police believe that the attack was prepared for several months. The publication writes that one of the attackers was shot dead and the other suffered a gunshot wound. He is now being treated by emergency personnel.

According to eyewitnesses, at least 50 shots were fired on the beach. Videos taken at the scene have appeared online, with footage showing two men firing long guns.

"I saw at least ten people on the ground and blood everywhere," one witness told reporters.

News.com.au reports that 10 people have died, authorities have not yet confirmed this.

New South Wales Police have confirmed that two people are already in custody.

"Two people are in police custody at Bondi Beach; however, the police operation is ongoing and we continue to encourage people to avoid the area," police said in a statement.

A video is also circulating on the web showing a man disarming what is likely one of the gunmen by sneaking up behind him.

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