Australia was rocked by its deadliest terrorist attack after gunmen opened fire on members of the Jewish community gathered to mark the first night of Hanukkah at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening.

According to bloomberg’s report, at least sixteen people were killed in the assault, which authorities say was deliberately aimed at Jewish worshippers.

Police identified the suspected attackers as a father and his son. One of them was killed at the scene, while the other remains in critical condition in hospital.

Security forces also discovered two improvised explosive devices nearby, both of which were safely neutralized by bomb disposal units, underscoring fears that the attack could have caused even greater loss of life.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as a premeditated act of terrorism rooted in antisemitism.

Calling it “an act of evil,” he said the violence had struck “at the heart of our nation,” pledging full support for the Jewish community and a nationwide security response, bloomberg reports.

This attack marks a turning point for Australia, a country that has largely been spared the kind of mass-casualty, ideologically driven violence seen elsewhere. By targeting a religious celebration in a highly public public space, the assault has heightened concerns about domestic extremism and the vulnerability of minority communities.