Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@bntly.mp3
Topics: Australia, Terrorism, World News
Callum Jones
A man who witnessed the horrific Bondi Beach attack has recalled a 'stampede' of people trying to flee the scene in what felt like 'six hours' of terror.
At least 15 people have died and dozens more left injured as two gunmen targeted Jewish people attending a Hanukkah event near Sydney's famous Bondi Beach on Sunday (December 14).
Among the victims were a 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor, a British Rabbi, a retired New South Wales police officer, as well as a French national.
Father-and-son duo, Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed, 24, have since been identified as the suspected gunmen. Sajid was declared dead at the scene after being shot by police, while Naveed is said to be in a critical condition in hospital.
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Bondi Beach is one of Australia's biggest tourist attractions with some 2.64 million people descending on its half-mile of yellow sand in 2024.
On Sunday, the beach would have been packed with locals and tourists, while the clubs and bars surrounding the area make it a popular stop for backpackers too.
Kian Bentley, 22, was working in an outdoor cinema near Bondi Pavilion and Archer Park, where the gunmen launched their attack on innocent people.
Kian, from Stirling in Scotland, initially thought the gunshots were fireworks, so he decided to press record for a now-viral video.
The video saw Kian recording in selfie mode as gunshots could be heard close by. The TikToker turned the camera to those at the outdoor cinema, who began running from the scene as what was happening became apparent.
UNILAD has chosen not to include the video of the shots being fired due to the deaths which occurred.
"Back in the UK, when people set up fireworks, I usually whip out my phone and record straight away," Kian told UNILAD. "I was already on my phone and instinctively just hit record."
But the reality of the situation quickly dawned on the Scot, and given that he was working, he had to ensure those at the outdoor cinema were evacuated promptly.
He continued: "We have fire procedures in place in case of fires or whatever, where safety exits are at the back. Instinctively, I opened up the gates as people were running in that direction. Some were trying to hop the fence, but [I] got the gates to open. It was like a stampede."
Kian went on to tell us how he didn't really have time to think, as it was just about getting people 'as far away from what was going on as possible'.
The Brit said most people sprinted towards the police station, which is where he regrouped with his team.
While Kian did not come across the alleged shooters, he described the shots as 'loud' and said 'you could really feel the impact every time the noise went off'.
This all played out in a few minutes, but Kian says the incident 'felt like six hours'.
"As soon as people started running, I think everyone knew what was going on," he added to UNILAD. " Within maybe a minute or two, that massive crowd had dispersed and got to safety, and plenty of officers were running to the scene."
Kian, who lives in Bondi, concluded by saying he woke up on Monday morning to a 'strange vibe' in the tourist hotspot, with the incident having a 'big impact in the community'.