Australian actor Hugh Jackman has described the terror attack at Bondi Beach as "devastating" and said he feels "heartbroken" for the victims and the community where he owns a penthouse apartment.​

The 57-year-old star spoke about the tragedy while at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, less than a week after the December 14 attack that killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration at the iconic Sydney beach. Speaking to Fox 5 DC, Jackman expressed his personal connection to the area, saying the attack "hits close" because Bondi is his home community.

"It's just devastating, it's my home, so it hits close," Jackman said. "This is something we are seeing all over the world. My heart is breaking about it. I just feel particularly for those families, those closely affected, and the community because it's my community."​

He repeated the statement to TMZ while he was walking at LAX.

The actor, who purchased his low-rise apartment in Bondi a decade ago for $5.9 million, splits his time between Australia and the United States. He retained the property following his divorce from Deborra-Lee Furness, which was finalized earlier this year.​

The attack occurred on Sunday evening at Archer Park near Bondi Pavilion during a "Chanukah by the Sea" event attended by approximately 1,000 people. Two gunmen, identified as father and son Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, opened fire with rifles, killing 15 people and injuring more than 40 others. The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years and included a 10-year-old girl named Matilda, two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, and a French national.​

Police shot and killed the older gunman at the scene, while the younger suspect was critically wounded and hospitalized. Naveed Akram has since been charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder, one count of committing a terrorist act, and 40 counts of attempted murder. Authorities have indicated the attack was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist organization, per ABC News.

The incident marks the deadliest terror attack and second-deadliest mass shooting in modern Australian history. Two improvised explosive devices were found in the attackers' vehicle and safely removed by police.

Tags
Hugh Jackman, Terror attack