A mass shooting occurred on Sunday (Dec. 14) at Bondi Beach, a famous tourist attraction in Sydney, Australia. Now, the death toll has risen to 16, including one of the gunmen and a child, with over 40 injured still hospitalized. The two gunmen involved were a father and son of South Asian descent, who reportedly pledged allegiance to the extremist organization Islamic State (ISIS).
New South Wales (NSW) Police Force stated that the two gunmen were father and son, aged 50 and 24, respectively. The 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, was shot and killed in an exchange of fire with the police, while the 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, was shot and arrested and is currently being detained and treated in the hospital. Police are searching their residence in Bonnyrigg, southwest Sydney, and authorities have confirmed that no other suspects are involved in the case.
ISIS flag found in gunmen's car
Investigators from the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team revealed that police found an ISIS flag in the gunmen's car. An anonymous official indicated that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation began investigating the son, Naveed, as early as six years ago.
Naveed is reportedly closely connected with ISIS members in Sydney, leading authorities to believe that the attack involved terrorist motives. Police confirmed that Naveed and his father, Sajid, traveled to the Philippines several weeks before the attack and are investigating whether this trip was linked to extremist organizations.
The report from several media outlets indicates that Naveed and his father arrived in the Philippines in early November before proceeding to the southern Mindanao region—an area long known for Islamist extremist training and militant activity. They came back to Australia in late last month, just before executing the mass shooting.
Bondi Beach and surrounding roads remained closed on Monday to facilitate the authorities' investigation, with NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon stating that the investigation will continue.
Australia lowers national flag to half-mast in mourning
This incident has become Australia's worst mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, which resulted in 35 deaths. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for the national flag to be flown at half-mast on Monday (Dec. 15) in mourning and visited the Bondi Pavilion to lay flowers in memory of the victims.
At a press conference on Monday, Albanese stated that the shooting was an "act of pure evil," directly labeling it as an anti-Semitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, an iconic location in Australia.
Regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's accusation that the Australian government ignored security warnings targeting the Jewish community before the shooting, Albanese did not respond directly, merely stating that this is a time for Australia to stand united.
"Australia will not be divided by hate or violence. We will confront it head on. And we will stand together in solidarity with Jewish Australians and with one another."
"No, thanks": Impact on Bondi Beach from unexpected calamity
Bondi Beach is not only a local hub but also a global tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. The shooting, however, immediately impacted the tourism and hospitality industries. For many international travelers who come to Bondi Beach to experience world-class activities and enjoy its scenic beauty, such an incident occurring at one of Australia's most popular tourist spots is deeply concerning.
Tourism experts have already begun speculating about the long-term effects of this tragedy on Sydney's tourism sector. The Beach, once a symbol of peaceful seaside leisure, is now associated with violence—a connection that may deter future visitors, especially those traveling with families.
Airlines and travel agencies serving Bondi Beach and its surrounding areas are on high alert and closely monitoring developments. Given Sydney's status as a global tourism hub, this incident may lead to heightened security measures at airports and transportation centers, potentially affecting the convenience of travel for visitors.
(With input from Wen Wei Po; English Editor: Darius)
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