New South Wales Police say that 10 people have died including one gunman following a shooting at Bondi Beach.
At least 12 others were also injured, police say, and two officers were shot during the incident.
A statement now from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who describes the scenes in Bondi as "shocking and distressing".
He says he has spoken to the Australian Federal Police commissioner and the New South Wales (NSW) Premier.
"We are working with NSW police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed," he says.
"Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives," he adds.
An eyewitness that spoke to the BBC described running with his children from a Hanukkah event that was being held on the beach when the shooting began.
Police have established an exclusion zone and have brought in specialised equipment to clear IEDs - but have not yet confirmed where this zone is.
Police say it is still unknown if the incident is connected to the Hanukkah event.
Very graphic video is emerging on social media showing the aftermath of the scene at Bondi Beach.
A verified video which has appeared on social media shows two gunmen firing from a small bridge which crosses from the carpark on Campbell Parade towards the beach itself.
The bridge is just 50m (164 feet) from the children’s park, Bondi Park Playground.
A separate video, also verified, shows several policemen on the same bridge. One appears to be administering CPR to a motionless man as someone shouts "he’s dead, he’s dead".
Another motionless man is having his shirt cut off with scissors. There are bloodstains on the floor and an armoured vest is discarded nearby along with at least eight bullet casings. It’s not certain if the men on the floor are the same people seen firing in the other video.
Someone is vomiting at the scene and is advised to "take a walk".
Further verified videos shows hundreds of beachgoers screaming and running through Bondi Beach Park as gunshots continually ring out.
BBC Verify is continuing to examine footage emerging from the scene.
