Sydney attack: 16 dead

SIXTEEN people, including a British-born rabbi, have died and 40 remain in hospital after two "terrorist" gunmen targeted a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australian police have said.

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The gunmen, armed with what police have described as “long guns”, opened fire on the Archer Park area of the popular beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, New South Wales Police said.

The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to the beach on the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, also known as Chanukah, the force confirmed.

British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, has been named as one of the victims.

Father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, has been hailed a hero for tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling the weapon away from him.