SYDNEY, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people have died after a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday night, authorities said.
Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) confirmed that at least 10 people, including a gunman, have died after the incident at the iconic beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
The state's ambulance service said that 16 people had been taken to hospital, with several others treated at the scene.
A second gunman was among those taken to hospital. At least two police officers were also injured.
Nine Network television reported that up to 20 people had been shot.
Many members of the Jewish community had assembled at the beach to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, earlier in the evening.
The shooting occurred at around 6:40 p.m. local time when at least two men armed with high-powered guns opened fire on a crowd of people.
A warning issued by police shortly before 7 p.m. advised members of the public to avoid the area and for anyone at the scene to take shelter.
Video footage and photographs from the scene showed people fleeing from the beach and firearms lying on the ground.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that the scenes at Bondi are "shocking," and NSW Premier Chris Minns described the incident as deeply distressing.■
