info@businessghana.com
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has described hearing gunshots during Sunday's terror attack at Bondi Beach as "terrifying".
Vaughan, who is in Australia commentating on the Ashes, was locked inside a restaurant "a few hundred yards from Bondi" for several hours alongside his wife, sister-in-law, two daughters, and a friend.
The 51-year-old, who is staying in nearby Coogee and had spent the day with his family watching his son's cricket match, was on his phone outside the restaurant when he heard what he thought was "fireworks" coming from the beach before being told to get inside by a bouncer.
Police have declared it a terrorist incident targeting the Jewish community.
Authorities have confirmed that at least 15 civilians, including one child, have been killed in the attack, which targeted a Hanukkah celebration on the beach.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Vaughan said: "Yesterday was a surreal day that I don't really want to go through again.
"I'm deeply saddened by everything that has gone on.
"To be 300 yards away, in a pub locked away, scary times.
"I look at Bondi and Sydney in particular - it's like my second home. Australia is an amazing country, and it's probably one of the countries in the whole world where I always say it's the safest. It's the safest place."
Police have confirmed a father and son were the alleged shooters, with the older man killed at the scene and the other in hospital in a critical condition.
Writing in The Telegraph, external, Vaughan added: "Like most people, I have been at home watching terrorist attacks unfold in London, or Manchester, near where I live.
"That all feels very close to home, and is scary. But to be so close that you can hear it happening is terrifying."
The third Ashes Test in Adelaide will go ahead as planned on Wednesday (Tuesday 2330 GMT). While Vaughan expects it to be a "sombre scene", he also described Australia as an "amazing country" which will "bounce back".
"Both teams are going to be affected. It's happened too close. We all know Australia and Sydney too well, but you have got to get on," Vaughan said.
"On Wednesday morning, it's a chance for the cricketers to showcase what Australia is about.
"There'll be a sombre scene for quite a time in the Test match but you can't allow two people to say to all of us that everything has to stop. They want us to stop, do nothing, and not get on with our lives.
"It's very important that cricket goes on and Australia will bounce back."
Cricket Australia has confirmed there will be a tribute and moment of silence ahead of the third Test, with both sides wearing black armbands.
The England & Wales Cricket Board also issued a statement of support, writing: "Everyone in the England cricket team is deeply saddened by the horrific events at Bondi beach yesterday evening.
"Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and friends at this deeply distressing time. We stand alongside the people of Sydney, the Jewish community, and our heartfelt condolences go to all those affected."
Speaking at a news conference at the Adelaide Oval on Monday, England vice-captain Harry Brook said: "[The attack] was a horrendous day for everybody involved on Bondi Beach. We are really thinking about them and the horrific incidents that happened.
"We support them all the way through and we're just extremely sorry for what happened."
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon, who plays for New South Wales, said: "I was at the hotel like everyone else watching it all unfold on the news.
"We're extremely saddened. It's a horrific day for everyone involved. We stand by them and our thoughts and prayers are with them.
"Nothing I'm going to say right now is going to make anyone feel any better. Other than that we're thinking of them and hopefully they can get through this."
South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas says there will be additional security at the Adelaide Oval.
"This is done only as a precautionary measure, but it is appropriate that we are at a crescent sense of alertness just at the moment for the time being," he said.
