Australian PM Condemns Shocking Bondi Beach Shooting Incident

Ten people died in a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday, according to Australian police. The incident shocked the popular tourist destination, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it "shocking and disturbing" as emergency crews worked to save lives.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that one of the shooters was among the dead. Twelve other people were injured in the attack at one of Australia's most famous beaches.

Prime Minister Albanese released a statement saying police and emergency teams were on scene working to rescue people. "I sympathize with everyone affected," he said, urging people in the area to follow instructions from New South Wales police.

The shooting marks a rare mass casualty event in Australia, which implemented strict gun control laws after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre that killed 35 people. Those reforms largely eliminated mass shootings in the country for decades.

Bondi Beach draws millions of visitors each year and is considered one of Sydney's most iconic locations. The beach was likely crowded with locals and tourists on a Sunday, making the casualty count particularly concerning for authorities.

Australian gun violence incidents of this scale are extremely uncommon due to the country's buyback program and licensing requirements put in place nearly 30 years ago. The last major shooting occurred in Darwin in 2019, when four people were killed.