New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon has designated the attack at Bondi Beach a terrorist incident.

There will be a “significant investigation” led by counter-terrorism, he told a press conference, adding that “no stone will be left unturned.”

He said that 29 people have been transported to various hospitals around the Sydney area, including two police officers.

There were over 1,000 people in attendance tonight celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, Lanyon added.

An event to mark the first day of the Jewish celebration Hanukkah was taking place on Bondi Beach.

“When I asked for calm, that is really important,” he said. “This is not a time for retribution. This is a time to allow the police to do their duty. So police are responding to make sure that all of the community is safe.”