Bondi Beach remains locked down as clean up efforts beginElizabeth GreenNewsWireMon, 15 December 2025 4:39AM
Locals have described eerie scenes at the world famous Bondi Beach on the morning after a mass shooting claimed the lives of 16 people.
Many remain at the scene, helping to clean up the thousands of items left behind as people ran for their lives.
Phones, wallets, and entire bags have been left behind as people ran from the shots being fired into crowds at North Bondi on Sunday night.
Dozens of people who had come down to Bondi for their morning exercise felt compelled to assist with the clean up, putting items into piles for the lifeguards who were collecting them.
“People have literally just got up and run for their lives,” local Holly Harris told NCA Newswire as she picked up belongings.
Ms Harris didn’t plan on helping the clean up but said she had “no doubt” she would do so once she reached the sand.
Another local, Cameron Sargent, said he had handed in five phones to lifeguards by 6am after arriving in the dark for the clean up.
“It’s just devastating, it’s such a dark day for Sydney,” he said.
‘A dark day’
Returning to Bondi Beach just hours after two gunman fired dozens of rounds into worshippers and locals, emotional locals have recalled the fear they felt during the attack.
One woman sat with tears in her eyes watching the beach as she remembered running for her own life.
She had been getting an ice cream and talking to friends back home in London when she heard what she thought were fire crackers.
“Then I think everyone realised something was not quite right and they were saying gunshots,” she said
“I was thinking, surely not, these things just don’t happen.
“And then suddenly people were just like charging towards you.”
Locals have told NCA Newswire they were moved to return to Bondi despite the incident to show a sense of strength.
Another local, Cameron Sargent, said he had handed in five phones to lifeguards by 6am after arriving in the dark for the clean up.
“It’s just devastating, it’s such a dark day for Sydney,” he said.
Heartbreaking tributes
Tears and tributes have flowed for those killed in the shooting, now reaching at least 16.
One woman became emotional when remembering the celebratory atmosphere at the beach before the massacre unfolded.
She had left the beach just 10 minutes before the first shots rang out.
“I remembered walking off the beach. We were all we were down there a bit later than usual, and just thinking how magical this area is, and everyone there was just having the best time,” she told NCA Newswire.
“I did have a weird, like, intrusive thought at one point yesterday, of like, this is a lot of people. I guess, being from England, that is just, you have that kind of unnerving feeling [in crowds].”
Death toll climbs
It comes as police confirmed on Monday morning, the death toll of the terrorist attack has now climbed to 16 people, with 40 people injured.
It is understood the Chanukah by the Sea event was the target of the attack, with two gunmen opening fire on a group of families about 6.47pm on Sunday night.
Fourteen people died at the scene and 42 were taken to hospital.
A 10-year-old girl and 40-year-old man have since died in hospital.
The ages of the deceased range between 10 and 87, police say. They are yet to be identified.
Originally published as Bondi Beach remains locked down as clean up efforts begin
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