The 10 ‘Horrifying’ Minutes: Bondi Beach Terror Attack Timeline

New Delhi, December 15, 2025: The quiet of a peaceful Sunday evening in Sydney was shattered by a swift and brutal attack at Bondi Beach, described by eyewitnesses as a terrifying ten-minute ordeal. This attack, which authorities have designated as an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community during the Hanukkah festival, has left at least 12 people dead and dozens injured.

The speed and violence of the incident highlight both the horror of the event and the immediate, heroic responses of civilians and emergency services. Here is an updated look at how the tragic moments unfolded, the aftermath, and the ongoing investigation.

The Calm Before the Storm

Bondi Beach was packed with tourists and local residents, enjoying a warm summer day. A family Hanukkah event, attended by an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 people, was in full swing at a park near the beach, a scene of joy and community.

The 10-Minute Horror: A Snapshot of the Attack

Around 6:45 PM (local time), the first shots were fired, instantly turning the festive atmosphere into one of sheer panic.

• The First Moments: Witnesses reported hearing dozens of “popping noises,” initially mistaking them for fireworks. Within seconds, the grim reality became clear as people began screaming and running for their lives. Eyewitness accounts suggest multiple gunmen, described as men in black, opened fire with what appeared to be long arms (rifles) on the crowd gathered for the Hanukkah event.
• Chaos and Escape: The area descended into chaos. Families grabbed their children, sprinting over barricades and across the sand. One Chilean tourist described the sound as “10 minutes of just bang, bang, bang,” suggesting the sustained nature of the assault. People were seen taking cover behind cars and trees, while others barricaded themselves inside nearby buildings like the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club.
• The Civilian Hero: Amidst the gunfire and terror, video footage captured a moment of immense courage. One man was seen wrestling an alleged gunman to the ground, managing to disarm him. This act of bravery, though potentially saving more lives, reportedly left the man with two bullet wounds.
• Police Response: Emergency services, including over 40 ambulance units and specialist paramedics, were scrambled to the scene. The beach area, a major tourist hub, was quickly locked down. By around 7:00 PM, police had issued a public warning, urging people to take shelter and avoid the area.
• The Takedown: The intense confrontation led to the death of one alleged gunman and the critical injury and arrest of a second. By 8:30 PM, police confirmed there were “no more active shooters,” bringing the terrifying period of immediate threat to an end.

The Tragic Aftermath

The toll of the attack is devastating: at least 12 people are confirmed dead, including one of the gunmen, and 29 people, including two police officers, were injured and rushed to hospitals across Sydney. Authorities have confirmed that the attack was a deliberate and targeted act of anti-Semitism against the Jewish community.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the atrocity as an “act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation.” The Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, described the event as a “dark moment for our nation.”

The Ongoing Investigation

The NSW Police Commissioner officially designated the shooting as a terrorist incident. The focus of the massive investigation is now twofold:

1. Motive and Association: Security agencies are working to determine the full extent of the attackers’ motivations, associations, and whether there was a possible third person involved, a possibility police have not yet ruled out.
2. Weapons and Explosives: Police confirmed the attackers used long arms. In a major development, bomb-disposal experts were deployed to a nearby vehicle where they successfully removed what are believed to be several improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The source and legality of the firearms used will likely lead to renewed public debate over Australia’s historically strict gun control laws, which were last reformed after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

As the community begins the painful process of grieving and recovery, the full inquiry into the attack is expected to shed light on every minute of the horrifying ten-minute spree, offering a comprehensive account of a day that fundamentally shook Australia’s sense of safety.