What We Know Concerning the Victims of the Bondi Beach Terrorist Incident

A minimum of 16 individuals lost their lives and more than 40 were hurt when attackers fired on a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, an attack local authorities are describing as a terrorist attack.

In the latest update, authorities have confirmed the number of fatalities is 16, encompassing one of the suspected gunmen. Moreover, 42 people with injuries were transported to hospital.

The deceased are yet to be officially identified, but police believe their ages span between 10 and 87 years old.

Below are the individuals who have been named at this time.

Eli Schlanger

London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was the first to be publicly identified.

Reportedly a father of five children, he was the associate rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. Relatives and friends spoke of him as “lively, dynamic, and vibrant and a very warm outgoing person who was dedicated to assisting others”.

“How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to share joy and positivity, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?” a relative said.

Schlanger and his wife had recently celebrated the birth of their newest son just a few months ago.

Alexander Kleytman

Alexander Kleytman was also confirmed among the deceased, as stated by his wife.

She told the events before the shooting, explaining they had been standing together when the shooting started. “He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me,” she recalled.

The husband and wife were both Holocaust survivors, having experienced unspeakable terror in their childhood. They had later immigrated to Australia from Eastern Europe.

Dan Elkayam

French authorities have confirmed that French national Dan Elkayam is among the dead.

Officially, a senior official said that France mourned with his family, the Jewish community, and the Australian people.

“This cowardly attack is a fresh and tragic example of a revolting outpouring of antisemitic hatred that we must combat,” the message read.

One Child

A child who was taken to the Sydney Children’s Hospital has been confirmed among the fatalities, police have confirmed.

One Israeli Citizen

A national of Israel was among those killed during the attack, as per multiple sources citing the Israeli foreign ministry.

Those Injured

Of the 42 people transported to hospital, a significant number remain receiving treatment, with several in serious condition. The injured comprise two police officers who responded to the attack.

A wounded man is a member of the public who rushed to the scene to confront one of the gunmen. Described as a hero, he received bullet wounds but is expected to recover in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

One of those wounded is Arsen Ostrovsky, a community leader. Reports indicate he was hurt and is receiving treatment in hospital.

In a message, he described the scene as an “absolute bloodbath,” but also praised the response of those who rushed to help. He said he felt it was a “miracle” he was alive.

Evan Zlatkis

Evan Zlatkis, a community director, was another casualty in the attack. He described he heard “a large number” of shots.

“I thought it was rubber bullets, but it’s gone into my own skin and into my leg,” he explained. “I sustained a gunshot wound. They bandaged me up. I’m ok.”