Ten people have died, including one alleged gunman, following a mass shooting at Bondi beach during which more than a dozen gunshots were fired in the area.

New South Wales police confirmed on Sunday evening that nine people and one person suspected to be a gunman had died.

There was a Jewish festival at the beach on Sunday evening, and the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said: “I think this was very deliberate and very targeted.”

In a statement on Sunday evening, NSW police said officers were first called to Campbell Parade at about 6.45pm, responding to reports of shots being fired.

Bondi beach

They confirmed the dead included a man believed to be one of two gunmen, with the second alleged shooter in a critical condition. They said two police officers were among at least 11 other people injured.

Police said they had located “a number of suspicious items” in the vicinity, which were being examined by specialist officers.

“An exclusion zone is in place,” they said. Police said there were no reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to the Bondi shooting.

In addition to the 10 people confirmed dead, NSW ambulance treated a number of additional patients.

A spokesperson said paramedics were still treating people on scene on Sunday night. They said 18 people were taken to hospital.

An ambulance spokesperson couldn’t comment on the nature of the injuries or the condition of the people taken to hospital. They said people were treated at the scene for gunshot injuries.

Six people were transported to St Vincent’s hospital, three to Royal Prince Alfred hospital, three to St George hospital, two each to Royal North Shore and to Prince of Wales hospitals, one to Westmead and one to Sydney Children’s hospital.

More than 40 ambulance resources were scrambled to the incident, including helicopter and road units and specialist and intensive care paramedics.

In a statement shared to X at about 7pm on Sunday, police advised there was a “developing incident” at Bondi and they urged the public to avoid the area.

“Anyone at the scene should take shelter,” NSW police said. “Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand.”

In a statement shared about 40 minutes later, police said two people were in custody.

“However, the police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area,” police said. “Please obey ALL police directions. Do not cross police lines.”

At 8.30pm, a NSW police spokesperson said “there are no more active shooters”.

Video seen by Guardian Australia showed two men in black clothes crossing a bridge at Bondi beach and firing. Twelve shots could be heard. People could be heard screaming and one man shouted “fuck”.

In a statement, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said “the scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing”. The national security committee of federal cabinet met on Sunday evening.

Albanese said he had spoken with the AFP commissioner, Krissy Barrett, and the NSW premier, Chris Minns.

“Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected,” the PM said.

In a statement, Minns said “the reports and images coming out of Bondi tonight are deeply distressing”.

“Police and emergency services are responding and the public should follow official advice,” the premier said in a statement. “We will update the public as soon as more information becomes available.”

Sunday was the first day of the Jewish festival Hanukkah.

“Join Chabad of Bondi for our Annual Chanukah Festival as We Celebrate Jewish Life by lighting up the Iconic Bondi Beach,” an advertisement for the event stated, with a start time of 5pm.

Speaking to 2GB, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said the shooting happened during the event.

Ryvchin, who was not there, said he had spoken to the ECAJ’s director of media, who he said had been injured during the incident.

“Hundreds of people were gathered. It’s a family event,” Ryvchin said on Sunday evening.

“They heard like dozens of popping sounds. And people just started running, running over barricades, grabbing their children. It was mayhem.

“I don’t think this was an attack that just happened to occur at Bondi beach. I think this was very deliberate and very targeted.”