Police say two people arrested, with ‘multiple’ fatalities and 18 people taken to multiple hospitals

Ten people have died, including one person believed to be a gunman, following a mass shooting at Bondi beach during which dozens of gunshots were fired in the area.

New South Wales police confirmed on Sunday evening that nine people and one person suspected to be a gunman had died, after numerous people were shot during the incident.

There was a Jewish festival at the beach on Sunday evening and the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said: “I think this was very deliberate and very targeted.”

In a statement shared to X at about 7pm on Sunday, police advised there was a “developing incident” at Bondi and they urged the public to avoid the area.

“Anyone at the scene should take shelter,” NSW police said. “Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand.”

In a statement shared about 40 minutes later, police said two people were in custody.

“However, the police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area,” police said. “Please obey ALL police directions. Do not cross police lines.”

At 8.30pm, a NSW police spokesperson said “there are no more active shooters”.

The NSW Ambulance service said at least six people had been taken to local hospitals following the shooting at Bondi beach. Police later confirmed 18 had been taken to hospital.

An ambulance spokesperson couldn’t comment on the nature of the injuries or the condition of the people taken to hospitals. They said people were treated at the scene for gunshot injuries.

NSW Ambulance was called to the area at about 6.45pm to reports of multiple people being shot, a spokesperson said. There were 25 units at the scene, including helicopters and intensive care units.

Four people were taken to St Vincent’s hospital, one person to the Royal Prince Alfred hospital and another to St George hospital.

Video seen by Guardian Australia showed two men in black clothes crossing a bridge at Bondi beach and firing. Twelve shots could be heard. People could be heard screaming and one man shouted “fuck”.

In a statement, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said “the scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing”.

Albanese said he had spoken with the AFP commissioner, Krissy Barrett, and the NSW premier, Chris Minns.

“Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected,” he said.

In a statement, Minns said “the reports and images coming out of Bondi tonight are deeply distressing”.

“Police and emergency services are responding and the public should follow official advice,” the premier said in a statement. “We will update the public as soon as more information becomes available.”

Sunday was the first day of the Jewish festival Hanukkah.

“Join Chabad of Bondi for our Annual Chanukah Festival as We Celebrate Jewish Life by lighting up the Iconic Bondi Beach,” an advertisement for the event stated, with a start time of 5pm.

Speaking to 2GB, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said the shooting happened during the event.

Ryvchin, who was not there, said he had spoken to the ECAJ’s director of media, who he said had been injured during the incident.

“Hundreds of people were gathered. It’s a family event,” Ryvchin said on Sunday evening.

“They heard like dozens of popping sounds. And people just started running, running over barricades, grabbing their children. It was mayhem.

“I don’t think this was an attack that just happened to occur at Bondi beach. I think this was very deliberate and very targeted.”