Information Available About the Victims of the Bondi Terror Attack

A minimum of 16 people perished and in excess of 40 were hurt when attackers opened fire at a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach, an incident Australian police have called a act of terrorism.

According to the most recent information, authorities have confirmed the number of fatalities remains at 16, including one of the suspected attackers. Moreover, 42 wounded individuals were admitted to medical facilities.

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

Below 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, he worked as the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. Family members and acquaintances remembered him as “vivacious, energetic, full of life 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 relative said.

Schlanger and his wife had recently celebrated the arrival of their newest son in October.

Alexander Kleytman

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

She described the events 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 stated.

The pair were both survivors of the Holocaust, having experienced immense hardship in their childhood. They had later immigrated to Australia from Ukraine.

Dan Elkayam

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

In a statement, the Foreign Minister declared that France mourned with his family, 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 combat,” the message continued.

One Child

A child who was taken to the Sydney Children’s Hospital succumbed to her injuries, authorities stated.

One Israeli Citizen

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

Those Injured

From the 42 people taken to hospitals, many are still under care, with a number in a critical state. The injured comprise two police officers who responded to the attack.

A wounded man is a bystander who rushed to the scene to confront one of the attackers. Described as a local hero, he received bullet wounds but is in stable condition in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

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

In a message, he described the scene as an “horrific scene,” but also praised the response of those who came to assist. 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 told reporters he listened to “a large number” of shots.

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