Hundreds swim, float at Bondi Beach to honour shooting victims

Many hundreds plunged into the ocean off Australia's Bondi Beach on Friday (19 December), forming a massive floating circle to honour the 15 people shot and killed at a Jewish festival.

Crowds massed at the iconic Sydney surf spot to remember those slain last Sunday, when father-and-son gunmen allegedly opened fire on a beachside festival marking the Jewish Hanukkah holiday.

Swimmers and surfers paddled into a circle as they bobbed in the gentle morning swell, splashing water and roaring with emotion.

"They slaughtered innocent victims, and today I'm swimming out there and being part of my community again to bring back the light," security consultant Jason Carr told AFP.

Carr said he hesitated before going back into the water because people were still grieving.

"We're still burying bodies. But I just felt it was important," the 53-year-old said.

"I'm not going to let someone so evil, someone so dark, stop me from doing what I do and what I enjoy doing."

Carole Schlessinger, a 58-year-old chief executive of a children's charity, said there was a "beautiful energy" at the ocean gathering.

"To be together is such an important way of trying to deal with what's going on," she said.

"It was really lovely to be part of it. I personally am feeling very numb. I'm feeling super angry. I'm feeling furious," she told AFP.

Sajid Akram and his son Naveed are accused of opening fire on the Jewish Hanukkah celebration in an antisemitic attack.

A married couple shot and killed as they tried to stop the gunmen will be laid to rest at a Jewish funeral home later on Friday morning.

Bondi locals Boris and Sofia Gurman were among the first killed as they to wrestle 50-year-old Sajid to the ground.

Dashcam footage showed retired mechanic Boris, 69, wrestling with Sajid as he tries to rip away his long-barrelled gun.

Wife Sofia, 61, dashed towards him in support.

The couple, who have been widely lauded for their bravery, were shot and killed moments later.

High alert

Sydney remains on high alert almost a week on from Australia's deadliest shooting in almost 30 years.

Armed police swooped on two carloads of men on Thursday evening after receiving a tip they may be plotting a "violent act".

"At this point in time, police have not identified any connection to the current police investigation of the Bondi terror attack," New South Wales state police said in a statement.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised a sweeping crackdown to banish the "evil of antisemitism from our society".

"It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge," he told reporters.

This included new powers to target extremist preachers and to refuse or cancel visas for those who spread hate and division.

Father Sajid, 50, was killed in a shootout with police, but 24-year-old Naveed survived.

The unemployed bricklayer has been charged with 15 counts of murder, an act of terrorism, and dozens of other serious crimes.

Authorities believe he and his father drew inspiration from the Islamic State group.

Australian police are investigating whether the pair met with Islamist extremists during a visit to the Philippines weeks before the shooting.