It was a night that promised to bring 'joy and light' to Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach as crowds of Jewish families gathered at a park to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, also known as the festival of light.
They were among thousands of other swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers who had flocked to Australia's most famous beach on a scorching summer's afternoon.
But not long after the Hanukkah event kicked off at 17:00 local time and the first free donuts were doled out, festive music was drowned out by the sounds of screams and the echo of gunshots.
It's unclear exactly when the first shot was fired, but the initial call to police was made at 18:47. In the minutes that followed, two gunmen would kill at least 15 people, and injure dozens more, authorities said.
A local high school teacher, Chavi, told the BBC she dropped to the ground to protect her baby as 'bullets were flying above us'.
In one video verified by the BBC, upbeat music from the Hanukkah event can still be heard in the background as people crouch down and shots are heard, interspersed between shrieks. Panic soon spread from the park to the sand, where terrified beachgoers sprinted away from the gunfire.
As chaos unfolded, two men identified as Sajid Akram (50) and his son Naveed (24) were involved in the shooting. Police reported that Sajid was found dead at the scene, while Naveed was critically wounded and remains hospitalized.
Describing the aftermath, witnesses recounted the swirling chaos, and the quick response of individuals trying to shield others from harm, one of whom, Ahmed al Ahmed, was hailed as a hero for disarming one of the gunmen.
This tragic event not only marred a joyous occasion but also raised urgent questions about gun control and public safety, prompting a nationwide response and renewed discussions about community safety measures.
