UPDATE 2 - ‘No place for violence in Australia,’ says Premier Albanese after beach shooting

ADDS UN REACTION, CHANGES TOLL IN DECK AND 2ND PARA

By Berk Kutay Gokmen and Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) – After a deadly mass shooting in Sydney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that there is “no place for violence and hate" in the country.

At least 16 people were killed and 40 remained in hospital after the shooting incident at Bondi Beach, police said.

Police said that they removed explosive devices from one of the shooters' cars, according to local media outlet ABC.

“There is no place for this hate violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it,” Albanese told a news conference.

“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians,” he said, dubbing the incident “terrorism.”

“Australia will never submit to division, violence or hatred,” he added.

He was speaking to the media after holding a National Security Committee meeting in Canberra.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on US social media company X that he is “horrified,” adding that he condemns “today’s heinous deadly attack.”

Later, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for Guterres, said the secretary-general "strongly condemns" the attack. Guterres expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and said he stands in solidarity with Australia and Jewish communities.

"The Secretary-General unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all its forms and reiterates that attacks on religious communities and peaceful celebrations strike at the core values of tolerance, coexistence and human dignity," Haq said.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed his sadness in a statement shared on X, saying that he is “shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi.”

“My thoughts and the thoughts of all New Zealanders are with those affected,” Luxon added.

In a post on X, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he “strongly” condemns the attack, and extends his “sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.”

Separately, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his "deepest condolences" to the victims of the attack, adding that "We stand in solidarity with the people and Government of Australia in this difficult time," on X.