Information Available About the Victims of the Bondi Beach Terrorist Incident

At least 16 individuals lost their lives and over 40 sustained injuries when assailants opened fire at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, an incident Australian authorities have called a terrorist attack.

In the latest update, officials have stated the number of fatalities stands at 16, which includes one of the alleged attackers. Moreover, 42 wounded individuals were admitted to medical facilities.

The deceased have not yet been formally identified, but investigators think their ages range from 10 and 87 years old.

Below are the victims who are known to date.

Eli Schlanger

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

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

“How is it possible that 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 birth of their youngest child in October.

Alexander Kleytman

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

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

The pair were both survivors of the Holocaust, having endured unspeakable terror in their youth. They had subsequently moved to Australia from Eastern Europe.

Dan Elkayam

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

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

“This low act is a new, tragic manifestation of a revolting outpouring of hatred against Jews that we must eradicate,” the statement continued.

One Child

A child who was rushed to the Sydney Children’s Hospital has been confirmed among the fatalities, authorities stated.

One Israeli Citizen

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

Those Injured

Of the 42 people transported to hospitals, many remain receiving treatment, with five in serious condition. The injured comprise two police officers who responded to the attack.

A casualty is a member of the public who attempted to intervene to confront one of the gunmen. Called a hero, he sustained bullet wounds but is recovering well in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

One of those wounded is Arsen Ostrovsky, a public affairs professional. Reports indicate he was wounded and is receiving treatment in hospital.

He wrote, he described the scene as an “absolute bloodbath,” but also praised the actions of those who rushed to help. He stated he felt it was a “stroke of luck” he was alive.

Evan Zlatkis

Evan Zlatkis, a community director, was also injured in the shooting. He described he heard “a large number” of shots.

“Initially, I believed it was something less lethal, but it penetrated my own skin and into my leg,” he stated. “I sustained a gunshot wound. They bandaged me up. I’m ok.”