This is what we know about the mass shooting in Sydney

TT

Published 14.12

 

A police officer guards the barriers on Bondi Beach in Sydney. Photo: Mark Baker/AP/TT

At least eleven people have been killed in a mass shooting on the tourist beach Bondi Beach in Sydney in a terrorist attack targeting the city's Jewish population. A suspected shooter is also dead.

This is what we know about the incident.

The first alarms come around 18.45 local time (8.45 Swedish time). People who call the alarm tell of shootings on the popular tourist beach Bondi Beach. Police urge people to stay away from the area and seek shelter.

Social media is quickly flooded with footage of shootings and people fleeing the beach in panic. Initially, however, it is very unclear what happened. Police urge the public not to spread unverified information.

One of the most widely circulated clips on social media shows a man sneaking up on a shooter from behind and disarming him. After a seven-second struggle, the man in a white shirt manages to wrestle the gun from the hands of the suspected perpetrator, who falls to the ground.

Shortly after 11:00 Swedish time, police confirm that nine people have been killed, and that a suspected perpetrator is also dead.

About an hour later, police and the state's Premier Chris Minns hold a press conference where they say that the incident is being investigated as a terrorist crime. A Jewish family festival with hundreds of people was taking place on the beach, and the attack was aimed at Sydney's Jewish population. Chris Minns also comments on the man who stopped one of the perpetrators, calling him "a true hero".

During the press conference, it is announced that the death toll has risen to eleven, plus the suspected shooter. Another suspected shooter has critical injuries. One of them was known to the intelligence service, according to ABC News. The police also announced that about 30 people were injured, including two police officers.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on the attack. "This is a targeted attack against Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy," he said.

There is no information yet about any Swedes affected, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told TT.