At least 12 people are dead — including a gunman — and 11 injured after two men opened fire at a Jewish event on Sydney's Bondi Beach, in scenes of terror and disbelief on Sunday night.
One of the gunman remains in police custody while the other was killed in the unfolding horror, according to local police. Two police officers were among the injured.
Video shows man wrestling gun from person amid Bondi shooting — Watch on TVNZ+
Police are also working to disarm a suspected explosive device in the area.
A massive police and ambulance response remains ongoing after authorities responded to reports of shooters firing at a crowd gathered beside the beach about 6.40pm Sydney time (around 8.40pm NZ time), on Sunday evening.
A number of "suspicious devices" have been found in the aftermath of the shooting where hundreds of people had gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event to celebrate the start of the Hannukah Jewish festival.
Authorities in an update described the attack as a terrorist attack.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as "an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation" in a media conference from Parliament House in Canberra.
"An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian. Every Australian tonight will be, like me, devastated by this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation," he said.
"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."
Albanese says terrorist attack that's killed 12 is 'beyond comprehension' - Watch on TVNZ+
NSW Premier Chris Minns said: "This cowardly act of terrifying violence is shocking and painful to see, and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney.
"This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community. On the first day of Hanukah. What should have been a night of peace and joy, celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying, evil attack."
Police said investigations were underway to see if there was a third offender involved.
New Zealand leaders have expressed shock and horror over the killings in Australia, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon saying: "We're family".
Sunday's shooting at Bondi Beach is the deadliest in Australia since the Port Arthur attack rocked the nation. In 1996, 35 people were killed, and scores were hurt, when a lone gunman opened fire at a historic site in Tasmania.
'After today, I don't feel safe anymore'
In extraordinary footage obtained by 9News, a man can be seen lunging at one of the alleged gunmen, overpowering him and taking his weapon.
The man was seen keeping the weapon pointed at the suspect before the gunman runs away. In the background, a second shooter appears to continue firing from the bridge.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as large crowds fled the beach.
One witness told 9News thousands of people began running in fear, prompting them to open the back gate of a nearby café to shelter those fleeing.
"Pregnant women, women with kids, just everyone’s running," the witness said, describing the scene as "pandemonium".
Daniel, who is visiting Australia from Brazil, said he saw the two shooters on the bridge before about five police cars arrived.
He and a friend hid while the shots were fired and then they started to run.
"A lot of people on the sand, on the ground, were trying to scream help," he told ABC News. "A lot of people on the floor, kids crying, looking for their mum."
He said it was hard to believe something like this could happen in Australia.
"After today, I don't feel safe anymore."
Witnesses share stories of terror as shooting unfolds at Bondi Beach - Watch on TVNZ+
Hunting rifle seen on ground in exclusion zone
Multiple videos posted to social media show two gunmen standing on a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion, firing shots into a crowd.
The men could be seen firing guns as people screamed and sprinted for cover. Footage showed people taking cover behind parked cars with shots ringing out.
A number of people could be seen lying injured and unmoving on the grass at North Bondi. Others were being loaded into ambulances on stretchers while onlookers attempted to provide support.
Separate footage showed officers standing guard over a hunting rifle lying on the ground with an exclusion zone in place.
NSW Police confirmed two people had been taken into custody shortly before 8pm (local time, around 10pm NZ time)
"Two people are in police custody at Bondi Beach; however, the police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area."
Local police are advising the public to avoid the scene, but confirmed the shooters had been "neutralised" and there was no ongoing active threat to the public.
Those on the ground have reported panic, confusion and disbelief as chaos continues to unfold with emergency services on the scene.
'Our worst fear realised' - Australian Jewry
Co-chief of the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry Alex Ryvchin described the incident as "our worst fear realised".
"It's a family event, a beautiful event every year," he told Sky News.
"If this is what we think it is, it is our worst fear realised … if we were targeted it's something of a scale none of us could ever imagine."
Sunday marked the first day of Chanukah, also known as Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish festival of lights. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies has said all Jewish events and communal institutions were closed until further notice following the shooting.
The New Zealand Jewish Council has also issued a statement, with president Juliet Moses saying she was "utterly sickened and horrified" by the mass shooting.
"We do not know all the details but we are haunted by the scenes we have seen, in a place familiar to and loved by so many of us. We are in shock and we pray for the innocent victims of this atrocity.
"We offer our full support to the Jewish community in Sydney and Australia."
Opposition leader Sussan Ley said the nation was in "deep mourning" with "hateful violence striking at the heart of an iconic Australian community, a place we all know so well and love, Bondi."
She described the loss of life as "significant" and said: "This attack occurred as our Jewish community came together at the Chanukah by the Seacelebration. 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."
'We're family': Luxon leads New Zealand tributes
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Australia and Aotearoa were closer than friends, "we're family".
"I am shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi, a place that Kiwis visit every day," he said.
"My thoughts, and the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those affected."
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said his thoughts were with "Sydney's victims tonight, their loved ones, and Jewish communities around the world".
"Violence in the South Pacific will not bring peace to the Middle East or anywhere else, it is stupid and evil."
Additional reporting by AAP
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