Australia has announced plans to strengthen its gun laws after a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach left 16 people dead, including a child, in the country’s worst gun attack in nearly three decades.

The attack took place during a Hanukkah celebration at the popular Bondi Beach, where around 1,000 people had gathered on a busy weekend evening.

Police say a father-and-son duo opened fire, killing 15 people before the older suspect was shot dead by police, bringing the total death toll to 16. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87.

Govt moves toward stricter gun laws

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his cabinet had agreed to strengthen Australia’s gun laws and move toward establishing a national firearms register.

The measures under consideration include limits on the number of weapons permitted per licence, restrictions on licence duration, and tighter controls on weapon types and modifications.

“People’s circumstances can change,” Albanese said, adding that firearms licences “should not be in perpetuity.”

Suspects and investigation details

Police said the 50-year-old father, who was killed at the scene, had held a firearms licence since 2015 and owned six registered weapons. His 24-year-old son, an Australian-born citizen, remains in critical condition in hospital.

Authorities did not officially release the suspects’ names, though Australian media identified them as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram. Security officials said one suspect was known to authorities but had not been considered an immediate threat.

Weapons and possible terror links

While police have not detailed the firearms used, videos from the scene appeared to show a bolt-action rifle and a shotgun.

National broadcaster ABC reported that two Islamic State flags were found in the gunmen’s vehicle, though officials have not confirmed the claim. Police said investigations into motive and background are ongoing.

Hero bystander praised for bravery

Witnesses described chaos as people fled the beach during the 10-minute attack.

A bystander, Ahmed al Ahmed, was filmed tackling and disarming one of the gunmen before being shot twice. He later underwent surgery and has been widely praised for saving lives. A fundraising campaign for him has raised more than A$1 million.

Bondi Beach, usually bustling with swimmers and surfers, was quiet as mourners laid flowers at a makeshift memorial draped in Australian and Israeli flags.

“This is very, very quiet,” said local resident Morgan Gabriel. “There’s definitely a solemn vibe.”

Albanese described the shooting as “an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism,” pledging to eradicate antisemitism in Australia.

World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, condemned the attack and offered condolences.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised Albanese, claiming Australia’s support for recognising a Palestinian state had contributed to rising antisemitism. The attack follows a series of antisemitic incidents in Australia since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.