What We Know About the Fatalities of the Bondi Beach Terrorist Incident

No fewer than 16 people were killed and in excess of 40 were wounded when assailants opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, a tragedy Australian police have called a act of terrorism.

According to the most recent information, authorities have confirmed the death toll is 16, encompassing one of the alleged gunmen. Furthermore, 42 people with injuries were admitted to hospital.

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

Listed are the victims who have been identified so far.

Eli Schlanger

London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was initially identified.

Reportedly a father of five children, he worked as the associate rabbi at a local Jewish cultural centre. 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 is it possible that a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?” a family member 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, according to his wife.

She told the moments leading up to the attack, explaining they were standing when the gunfire erupted. “He moved to protect me because he wished to be near me,” she said.

The pair were both Holocaust survivors, having endured immense hardship in their youth. They had subsequently relocated to Australia from Ukraine.

Dan Elkayam

The French authorities have announced that French man Dan Elkayam is a casualty.

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 combat,” the message continued.

One Child

A child who was rushed to the Sydney Children’s Hospital succumbed to her injuries, police have confirmed.

One Israeli Citizen

One victim from Israel was also killed during the attack, according to multiple sources referencing the Israeli foreign ministry.

Those Injured

From the 42 people transported to hospitals, many remain under care, with several in critical condition. Those hurt comprise two officers who attended the scene.

A wounded man is a bystander who attempted to intervene to tackle one of the gunmen. Called a hero, he received bullet wounds but is in stable condition in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

One of those wounded is Arsen Ostrovsky, a public affairs professional. Sources state he was wounded and underwent treatment in hospital.

He wrote, he described the incident as an “absolute bloodbath,” but also praised the response 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 shooting. He told reporters he heard “a large number” of shots.

“I thought it was something less lethal, but it’s gone into my own skin and into my leg,” he said. “I was hit. They bandaged me up. I’m ok.”