Gunmen have opened fire in a horror attack on a Jewish festival at Australia's Bondi Beach, with at least 12 people dead including one attacker.
New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon has declared the attack to be a "terrorist incident". Panicked people were seen running from the sand and onto nearby streets as the sound of gunshots rang out across the beachfront.
Another gunman is in police custody and injured. Multiple other people have been injured, police say, and two police officers were also shot and injured during the attack. Police have established an exclusion zone and have brought in specialised equipment to clear IEDs.
13:19Luke Thrower
England cricket star locked in Bondi restaurant during terror attack
Michael Vaughan has detailed the terrifying experience he faced in being locked in a restaurant in Bondi while an active shooting was taking place on Bondi Beach.
Vaughan took to social media to confirm he is safe from the incident. He said on X: "Being locked in a restaurant in Bondi was scary..Now home safe.. but thanks so much to the emergency services and the guy who confronted the terrorist.. thoughts with all who have been affected .. xxx"
Michael Vaughan (Image: (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images))
13:12Zahra Khaliq
Crowds turn up to suspect's family home
A video appears to show crowds arriving at the family home of one of the suspected gunmen. Earlier, Naveed Akram, 24, was named as a suspect. According to his driver's licence, he lives in Bonnyrigg, a suburb of Sydney.
A senior law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity, previously said Mr Akram's home was being raided by police on Sunday evening.
13:05Zahra Khaliq
Hero dad-of-two who disarmed gunman 'shot twice'
A man who heroically tackled and disarmed one of the Bondi Beach gunmen has been identified as a father-of-two fruit shop owner who was "shot twice" and rushed to hospital.
Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, was injured in the arm and hand, but is recovering well in hospital, his family said.
Ahmed al Ahmed tackled the gunman to the ground (Image:Instagram)
Full story here: Hero dad-of-two who disarmed gunman 'shot twice'
12:56Zahra Khaliq
Hero who tackled gunman is recovering in hospital
A hero who tackle one of the gunmen to the ground suffered two bullet wounds - one in his arm and one in his hand - but is now recovering in hospital, a family member has said.
The bystander was a 43-year-old fruit shop owner from the Sutherland Shire, Seven News reports. Speaking outside a major Sydney hospital, afamily member said they will be allowed to see him soon. "We hope he will be fine, he is a hero, 100 per cent, he is a hero," they added.
12:46KEY EVENT
Muslim groups condemn Bondi Beach terror attack
Muslim groups in Australia have condemned the Bondi Beach terror attack, adding "such acts of violence, targeting innocent people and aiming to sow division and fear, have absolutely no place in Australia."
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia (ACMA) said it is "shocked and saddened at the loss of innocent lives".
"We are heartbroken by the brutality of this attack on a peaceful community gathering," ACMA national president Imam Inam-ul-Haq Kauser said in a statement. "Such acts of violence, targeting innocent people and aiming to sow division and fear, have absolutely no place in Australia. An attack on any community is an attack on all of us."
The Australian National Imams Council shared a statement of solidarity with victims and all affected communities. "Those responsible must be held fully accountable and face the full force of the law," the council said.
"This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity, rejecting violence in all its forms and affirming our shared commitment to social harmony and the safety of all Australians."
12:29Zahra Khaliq
More details on suspected gunman
One of the suspected shooters at Bondi Beach was Naveed Akram - a man from the city's south-west - according to a senior law enforcement official. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Mr Akram's home was being raided by police on Sunday evening.
Akram is 24-years-old, and according to his driver's licence, lives in Bonnyrigg, a suburb of Sydney.
Read more: Bondi Beach gunman identified as home 'raided by police'
12:13Zahra Khaliq
'Several' explosive devices being removed from car
"Several improvised explosive devices" were found in a car at Bondi Beach and were linked to the deceased gunman, New South Wales Police commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference in Sydney. The devices are now being removed.
Earlier, Lanyon said: "Shortly after the shooting occurred, police located a vehicle in Campbell Parade at Bondi, which we believe has several improvised explosive devices. We have our rescue bomb disposal unit there at the moment working on that."
Read more: Police make horror explosives find after 12 dead in terror incident
11:59Zahra Khaliq
UK chief rabbi asks for prayers following 'heinous act'
The UK chief rabbi has released a statement on the terror attack which took place while beachgoers in Sydney were celebrating the first night of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah - also referred to as Chanukah.
11:36Zahra Khaliq
Police increase visibility in London's Jewish communities
The Metropolitan Police is increasing its visibility in Jewish communities ahead of any Hanukkah events in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack, the mayor of London has said.
In a post on X, Sadiq Khan said: “My thoughts and condolences – along with the rest of London - are with everyone affected by the horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia today.”
Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day festival of light usually observed in December.
11:22Zahra Khaliq
Australian PM calls shooting 'an act of evil anti-Semitism and terrorism'
Australian PM Anthony Albanese has described the Bondi Beach shooting as "an act of evil anti-Semitism and terrorism that has struck at the heart of our nation."
He added: "The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone's worst nightmare. We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives. These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives.
"There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it. Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith at this dark moment for our nation.
"Our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage."