Information Available Concerning the Fatalities of the Bondi Shooting

No fewer than 16 lives perished and over 40 were hurt when attackers shot at a Hanukah celebration at Bondi Beach, an incident Australian authorities are describing as a terrorist attack.

In the latest update, authorities have confirmed the number of fatalities stands at 16, encompassing one of the suspected gunmen. Additionally, 42 people with injuries were admitted to the hospital.

Those who died are yet to be formally identified, but police believe their ages are between 10 and 87 years of age.

Here are the victims who have been named to date.

Eli Schlanger

Originally from London rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was the first victim to be named.

Reportedly a father of five children, he was the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. Family members and friends remembered him as “lively, dynamic, and vibrant and a very kind and sociable person who was dedicated to assisting others”.

“How can a happy rabbi who went to a beach to share joy and positivity, to make the world a better place, meet his end in this way?” a family member said.

Schlanger and his wife had recently celebrated the arrival of their youngest child in October.

Alexander Kleytman

Alexander Kleytman was also among those killed, according to his wife.

She recounted the events leading up to the shooting, saying they had been standing together when the gunfire erupted. “He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me,” she stated.

The husband and wife were both Holocaust survivors, having faced unspeakable terror in their youth. They had subsequently moved to Australia from Ukraine.

Dan Elkayam

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

Publicly, a senior official declared that France stood with his family and loved ones, the Jewish community, and the Australian people.

“This low act is a new, tragic manifestation of a disgusting rise of antisemitic hatred that we must eradicate,” the statement read.

One Child

A 10-year-old girl who was rushed to the Sydney Children’s Hospital has been confirmed among the fatalities, police have confirmed.

One Israeli Citizen

An Israeli citizen was also killed in the incident, as per multiple sources citing the Israeli foreign ministry.

Those Injured

From the 42 people taken to hospital, many are still under care, with several in a critical state. Those hurt include two police officers who attended the scene.

One of the injured is a member of the public who rushed to the scene to confront one of the gunmen. Described as a local hero, he sustained gunshot wounds but is expected to recover in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

Among the injured is Arsen Ostrovsky, a community leader. Sources state he was injured and underwent treatment in hospital.

He wrote, he described the incident as an “utter carnage,” but also noted the response of those who rushed to help. He said he felt it was a “stroke of luck” he was alive.

Evan Zlatkis

Evan Zlatkis, a community director, was another casualty in the attack. He said he heard “dozens and dozens” of shots.

“Initially, I believed it was something less lethal, but it’s gone into my own skin and into my leg,” he explained. “I’ve been shot myself. I received first aid. I’m ok.”