Australia has lowered flags to half-mast in mourning for the shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration, which resulted in at least 15 deaths.
Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, revealed that the victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old, while at least 42 people are hospitalized with many in critical condition. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laid flowers at the scene on Monday to pay respects and honor those who died in this tragedy, describing it as an anti-Jewish terrorist attack striking at the heart of the nation.
Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said, "At this time, we are heartbroken. We must grieve, seek to understand what has happened, and consider how we will explain this to our children and grandchildren."
Authorities have revealed that the perpetrators were a father and son. The 50-year-old father was shot dead by police at the scene, while the 24-year-old son was injured and taken to hospital. Police confirmed that one of the gunmen was known to security agencies beforehand, but Commissioner Layton stated there was no prior intelligence indicating an imminent attack plan.
This incident marks the deadliest shooting in nearly 30 years in Australia, a country known for its strict gun control laws.
Source: AP
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