Information Available Regarding the Victims of the Bondi Beach Terrorist Incident

At least 16 individuals perished and over 40 were wounded when attackers opened fire at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, a tragedy Australian police have called a terrorist attack.

In the latest update, officials have confirmed the number of fatalities is 16, encompassing one of the suspected gunmen. Furthermore, 42 injured people were transported to medical facilities.

The victims are still awaiting publicly named, but investigators think their ages range between 10 and 87 years old.

Below are the victims who have been identified to date.

Eli Schlanger

Originally from London clergyman Eli Schlanger, 41, was initially identified.

Reportedly a father-of-five, he was the associate rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. Family members and friends described him as “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very kind and sociable person who loved to help people”.

“How can a happy rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, meet his end in this way?” a family member remarked.

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

Alexander Kleytman

Alexander Kleytman was also among those killed, as stated by his wife.

She recounted the events leading up to the shooting, explaining they were standing when the gunfire began. “He pushed his body up because he wished to be near me,” she said.

The couple were both Holocaust survivors, having experienced immense hardship in their youth. They had subsequently immigrated to Australia from Ukraine.

Dan Elkayam

The French foreign ministry have announced that French national Dan Elkayam is among the dead.

Publicly, the Foreign Minister declared that France shared the grief of his family, the Jewish community, and the Australian people.

“This cowardly attack is a new, tragic manifestation of a disgusting rise of antisemitic hatred that we must put a stop to,” the statement continued.

One Child

A child who was rushed to the a children's hospital has been confirmed among the fatalities, according to police reports.

One Israeli Citizen

An Israeli citizen was among those killed during the attack, as per reports referencing the Israeli government.

Those Injured

Of the 42 people taken to hospitals, a significant number are still receiving treatment, with five in a critical state. The injured include two officers who responded to the attack.

One of the injured is a bystander who rushed to the scene to confront one of the attackers. Described as a hero, he received gunshot wounds but is recovering well in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

Among the injured is Arsen Ostrovsky, a human rights lawyer. It has been reported he was wounded and underwent treatment in hospital.

In a message, he recounted the incident as an “absolute bloodbath,” but also noted the response of those who came to assist. He said he believed it was a “stroke of luck” he survived.

Evan Zlatkis

Evan Zlatkis, a community director, was also injured in the attack. He said he listened to “a large number” of gunshots.

“Initially, I believed it was something less lethal, but it penetrated my own skin and into my leg,” he explained. “I sustained a gunshot wound. I received first aid. I’m ok.”