Worshippers at the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne were forced to flee early Friday morning after the building was set ablaze in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has denounced as an "act of hate."
Firefighters responded to the scene in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, shortly after 04:00 local time (17:00 GMT Thursday) to find the synagogue engulfed in flames.
Several people inside the synagogue for morning prayers narrowly escaped, with one person sustaining injuries.
Witnesses reported seeing masked individuals throw firebombs and spread accelerants before setting the building alight. Extensive damage was caused, and police have confirmed that the fire was deliberately lit, though the motive remains under investigation.
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