Chinese tourist describes Bondi beach rescue during fatal shooting spree

A Chinese tourist from Harbin has recounted a narrow escape after being caught in the deadly shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday.

The man, using the online name "Levi," said he was swimming with friends when he heard gunshots and immediately warned others. After three shots, people on the beach began running. He identified the sound as coming from a semi-automatic rifle.

Stuck in the water and unable to swim ashore quickly, Levi saw the shooter on a platform directly opposite him. He heard police sirens about two minutes later, but the gunfire continued. Approximately five minutes after the shooting began, he heard an exchange of fire and ambulance sirens.

Levi said the intense stress left him physically unable to swim back to shore. As he was about to lose strength, an Australian lifeguard arrived on a surfboard and rescued him.

After reaching land, Levi described hearing women and children crying everywhere, with people sheltering in surfboard storage sheds. They remained there until helicopters arrived and confirmed it was safe to leave the beach.

The attack, targeting a Hanukkah event, left at least 12 people dead and multiple others injured.