Australian police have said two people were in custody after reports of gunshots and injuries at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
“The police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area,” New South Wales Police said in a post on X.
The Sydney Morning Herald said multiple people had been injured, while television networks Sky and ABC aired footage showing people lying on the ground.
Emergency workers said they had rushed eight people to hospitals after the shooting.
“We can just let you know that we have treated multiple people on the scene and at this stage taken eight people to different Sydney hospitals,” a spokesperson for the New South Wales ambulance service said.
No figures were immediately available for any fatalities.
In a statement, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said: “Our sisters and brothers in Sydney have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on jews who went to light the first candle of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach.”
Videos circulating on X appeared to show people on Bondi Beach scattering as multiple gunshots and police sirens can be heard. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.
“We are aware of an active security situation in Bondi. We urge people in the vicinity to follow information from NSW Police,” said a spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.