What We Know About the Victims of the Bondi Beach Shooting

A minimum of 16 people lost their lives and more than 40 sustained injuries when attackers shot at a Hanukah celebration at Bondi Beach, a tragedy Australian police have called a act of terrorism.

In the latest update, officials have stated the number of fatalities is 16, encompassing one of the alleged attackers. Furthermore, 42 wounded individuals were admitted to hospital.

The deceased are yet to be formally identified, but police believe their ages are from 10 and 87 years old.

Here are the victims who have been identified at this time.

Eli Schlanger

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

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

“How can a joyful 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 relative asked.

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

Alexander Kleytman

Alexander Kleytman also lost his life, as stated by his wife.

She recounted the moments before the attack, saying they were standing when the gunfire started. “He shielded me because he wished to be near me,” she said.

The husband and wife were both Holocaust survivors, having endured immense hardship in their childhood. They had subsequently moved to Australia from Ukraine.

Dan Elkayam

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

In a statement, the Foreign Minister said that France stood with his family and loved ones, the Jewish community, and the Australian people.

“This despicable act is a fresh and tragic example of a disgusting rise of hatred against Jews that we must eradicate,” the statement continued.

One Child

A child who was taken to the Sydney Children’s Hospital is among those who had died, police have confirmed.

One Israeli Citizen

One victim from Israel was also killed in the incident, as per multiple sources citing the Israeli foreign ministry.

Those Injured

Of the 42 people taken to hospitals, many are still under care, with five in serious condition. The injured include two police officers who attended the scene.

One of the injured is a bystander who rushed to the scene to confront one of the gunmen. Hailed as a hero, he sustained bullet wounds but is in stable condition in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

One of those wounded is Arsen Ostrovsky, a community leader. Reports indicate he was wounded and is receiving treatment in hospital.

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

Evan Zlatkis

Evan Zlatkis, a community director, was another casualty in the shooting. He told reporters he heard “dozens and dozens” of gunshots.

“Initially, I believed it was rubber bullets, but it’s gone into my own skin and into my leg,” he stated. “I was hit. I received first aid. I’m ok.”