What We Know Concerning the Victims of the Bondi Shooting

A minimum of 16 individuals perished and in excess of 40 sustained injuries when gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, a tragedy Australian authorities are describing as a act of terrorism.

As of the newest reports, authorities have announced the number of fatalities is 16, which includes one of the alleged attackers. Moreover, 42 people with injuries were transported to hospital.

The victims are yet to be officially identified, but police believe their ages span from 10 and 87 years of age.

Here are the individuals who are known to date.

Eli Schlanger

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

Known as a father of five children, he worked as the assistant rabbi at a local Jewish cultural centre. Family members and friends spoke of him as “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm outgoing 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 relative remarked.

Schlanger and his wife celebrated the birth of their youngest child in October.

Alexander Kleytman

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

She told the events before the attack, explaining they were standing when the gunfire started. “He moved to protect me because he wanted to stay near me,” she stated.

The husband and wife were both survivors of the Holocaust, having endured immense hardship in their childhood. They had later immigrated to Australia from Ukraine.

Dan Elkayam

The French foreign ministry have confirmed that French national Dan Elkayam is among the victims.

In a statement, a senior official declared that France mourned with his family, the Jewish community, and the Australian people.

“This cowardly attack is a fresh and tragic example of a disgusting rise of antisemitic hatred that we must eradicate,” the statement read.

One Child

A 10-year-old girl who was taken to the Sydney Children’s Hospital has been confirmed among the fatalities, authorities stated.

One Israeli Citizen

A national of Israel was among those killed in the incident, as per reports citing the Israeli foreign ministry.

Those Injured

Of the 42 people transported to hospitals, many remain under care, with a number in a critical state. Those hurt comprise two police officers who responded to the attack.

A wounded man is a member of the public who attempted to intervene to confront one of the gunmen. Described as a local hero, he received gunshot wounds but is recovering well in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

One of those wounded is Arsen Ostrovsky, a human rights lawyer. Reports indicate he was wounded and is receiving treatment in hospital.

He wrote, he recounted the scene as an “utter carnage,” but also praised the actions of those who came to assist. 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 told reporters he heard “dozens and dozens” of gunshots.

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