Sydney: Australian authorities, updating the casualty toll of the gunfire attack that happened at the Bondi Beach area of Sydney earlier on Sunday, said 12 people died and 29 others were wounded in the assault.
According to Kuwait News Agency, one of the attackers was among the dead, with authorities adding that two police officers were also injured in the random shooting. The government has labeled the incident as a dangerous terrorist act.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking at a news conference broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, stated, "Tonight we witnessed a terrorist annihilating incident during Hanukkah celebrations. This attack targeted Australian Jews. It was an antisemitic evil act and terrorism hit the heart of our nation."
Chris Minns, the current premier of New South Wales, emphasized during the same news conference that the government would not allow terrorists to tear Australia apart. The region around the scene remains surrounded as a security precaution, with schools set to be shut tomorrow.
Mike Burges, chief of intelligence, noted that authorities are conducting investigations to determine if there are any individuals harboring similar intentions in the country. He also indicated a 50 percent possibility of an identical attack recurring.
The ABC quoted a senior security officer who identified one of the attackers as Naveed Akram, from South Sydney. Akram's house was searched by police as part of the ongoing investigations.
Police reported that an improvised explosive device was found at the scene and that experts have dismantled the explosives.