12 die in Sydney attack

AT least 12 people, including a British-born rabbi, have died and 29 have been injured by two "terrorist" gunmen who 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 yesterday, 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.

In a message to the people of Australia, the King said he was "appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack". Charles, who visited Bondi Beach in 2012, said in a statement: