Terrorists attack Hanukkah celebrants in Sydney

Two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration at Australia's iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday, killing at least 15 people in what officials have declared a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.

This is the deadliest attack in the country since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre prompted the then conservative government to move to enact strict gun control laws - and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged Monday to further strengthen the legislation.

Albanese said he'd put on the agenda of the National Cabinet tougher gun laws, "including limits on the number of guns that can be used or licensed by individuals, and a review of licenses over a period of time." He noted that "people can be radicalized over a period of time."

The attack in the New South Wales state capital began around 6:45pm local time as about 1,000 people gathered at a "Chanukah by the Sea" event organized by the Chabad of Bondi.

NSW police killed a 50-year-old man believed to be a shooter, while a second suspect, a 24-year-old man, was hospitalized in critical condition. Police identified the pair as a father and son.

A bystander tackled a gunman and wrestled away his weapon.

NSW Police said 15 people, plus one of the suspected shooters, had died, and 40 people remained in the hospital on Sunday. The ages of the victims who died ranged from 10 to 87 years old, police said.

Two police officers were in critical but stable condition.

Authorities said they discovered two improvised explosive devices at the scene. The father had six firearms licensed to him, all of which have been recovered by police.