At least 12 dead in Bondi Beach terror attack including alleged shooter

Twelve people including one suspected shooter have been confirmed dead after a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Australia.

At least 12 other people have also been injured in the tragedy, police have confirmed, and two police officers were injured.

Video from the attack which has been verified by the BBC shows two people shooting from a bridge that crosses from a car park towards the beach.

The New South Wales ambulance service has confirmed that 18 people have been taken to hospital following the attack, but has not released details about their condition.

More people have been receiving treatment from paramedics at the scene.

Police first responded to calls at around 6.45pm local time, and confirmed that two people have been taken into custody following the shooting.

Officers added that they are investigating a 'number of suspicious items' which have been located in the area.

Armed police swarmed the scene (DAVID GRAY / AFP via Getty Images)

A statement from New South Wales Police said: "An extensive crime scene has been established and inquiries are now underway. There have been NO reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to this incident."

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese released a statement following the tragedy.

He said: "The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives.

"My thoughts are with every person affected. I just have spoken to the AFP Commissioner and the NSW Premier.

"We are working with NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed.

"I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police."

Independent MP Allegra Spender's electorate includes Bondi Beach, which is a suburb of Sydney.

Police confirmed that ten people including one suspected shooter have died (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

In a statement, she said: "This is horrifying. It’s still not clear exactly what has happened yet. The reporting is police have apprehended the perpetrators. I am urging people to follow police requests and avoid Bondi Beach.

"This is not the Australia that we know and love. I know our community will come together but this is devastating to all of us."

The shooting happened as members of the Jewish community gathered at the beach for an event to mark the first night of Hanukkah.

Police have since confirmed that the incident is being treated as a terror attack.

The number of deaths makes the tragedy the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur attacks in 1996, in which 35 people were killed.

Following that attack, the country passed sweeping reforms on owning firearms in Australia, including mass gun buybacks and increased background checks.

Since the strict laws were introduced, Australia saw a large reduction in the number of firearms deaths making large scale shootings like this a particularly massive shock for the country.