Two suspected shooters opened fire at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing nine people and wounding multiple others in an attack that spread panic, with bodies reported lying on the ground.
Another 11 wounded were rushed to various hospitals at one of the biggest tourist draws in Australia's largest city, New South Wales police said.
One of the alleged shooters was killed, and the second was in a critical condition, they said.
"We heard the shots. It was shocking, it felt like 10 minutes of just bang, bang, bang. It seemed like a powerful weapon," Camilo Diaz, a 25-year-old student from Chile, told AFP at the scene.
Crowds fled in fear from the beach in eastern Sydney, which draws huge numbers of surfers, swimmers and tourists, especially at weekends.
Emergency services first responded to reports of shots being fired at 6:45pm (0745 GMT), New South Wales police said.
"A number of suspicious items located in the vicinity are being examined by specialist officers and an exclusion zone is in place," police said in a statement.
An annual "Chanukah by the Sea" gathering marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah was planned at the beach Sunday afternoon, but officials have not commented on a possible antisemitic link.
- 'Blood everywhere' -
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned it, however, as a "cruel attack on Jews" and urged the Australian authorities to step up the fight against antisemitism
One witness who declined to be named said he personally witnessed six dead or injured bodies lying on the beach.
The grassy hill overlooking Bondi Beach was strewn with discarded items from people fleeing too fast to pack up, including an abandoned children's stroller, an AFP journalist at the scene said.
Paramedics tended to multiple people lying on the grass by the beach, images broadcast by public broadcaster ABC showed.
A weapon that appeared to be a pump action shot-gun was lying by a tree by the beach.
A British tourist told AFP he saw "two shooters in black" after the gunfire broke out.
"There was a shooting, two shooters in black with semi-automatic rifles," Timothy Brant-Coles told AFP, saying he saw multiple people who had been shot and wounded.
Another witness, 30-year-old local resident Harry Wilson, told the Sydney Morning Herald he saw "at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere".
Australian PM says Bondi beach shooting 'shocking and distressing'
"Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected," Albanese said in a statement shared by his office.
"I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the (New South Wales) Police," he said.
Witness sees 'two shooters in black' at Australia's Bondi Beach
A British tourist told AFP he saw "two shooters in black" after gunfire broke out Sunday at Australia's famed Bondi Beach, with officials reporting two people in detention and multiple injuries.
"There was a shooting, two shooters in black with semi-automatic rifles," Timothy Brant-Coles told AFP from the Sydney tourist hotspot, reporting multiple people had been shot and wounded.
Israeli president condemns 'cruel attack on Jews' in Sydney
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned Sunday's shooting in Sydney, calling it a "cruel attack on Jews" and urged the Australian authorities to step up the fight against antisemitism.
"At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews," said Herzog in a speech at an event in Jerusalem, where he called on Australia to "fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society".
There has been no official confirmation in Australia that the attack targeted the Jewish community.
Australian Jewish Association CEO says Bondi shooting 'entirely foreseeable'
The head of Australia's Jewish Association said a shooting Sunday at Sydney's Bondi beach during a Hanukkah event was a "tragedy but entirely foreseeable".
"The Albanese government was warned so many times but failed to take adequate actions to protect the Jewish community," Robert Gregory told AFP.
Top Australian Muslim organisation condemns 'horrific' Bondi shootings
A major Australian Muslim organisation condemned a "horrific" shooting on Sunday that killed ten people on Sydney's Bondi Beach.
"Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack," the Australian National Imams Council said in a statement.
"This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity," they added.