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

At least 16 lives perished and in excess of 40 were hurt when gunmen fired on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, an incident Australian authorities have called a terrorist attack.

As of the newest reports, officials have announced the death toll remains at 16, encompassing one of the suspected attackers. Moreover, 42 injured people were taken to the hospital.

The deceased have not yet been officially identified, but police believe their ages span between 10 and 87 years old.

Listed are the victims who have been named so far.

Eli Schlanger

Originally from London clergyman Eli Schlanger, 41, was the first victim to be named.

Known as a father-of-five, he worked as the associate rabbi at a local Jewish cultural centre. Relatives and acquaintances spoke of him as “lively, dynamic, and vibrant 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 remarked.

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

Alexander Kleytman

Alexander Kleytman was also confirmed among the deceased, according to his wife.

She described the moments leading up to the shooting, stating they were standing when the gunfire started. “He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me,” she said.

The couple were both Holocaust survivors, having endured unspeakable terror in their youth. They had subsequently relocated to Australia from Ukraine.

Dan Elkayam

The French foreign ministry have confirmed that French man Dan Elkayam is a casualty.

Publicly, a senior official expressed that France shared the grief of 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 put a stop to,” the statement read.

One Child

A young girl, aged 10 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 a fatality during the attack, according to multiple sources citing the Israeli foreign ministry.

Those Injured

Of the 42 people taken to hospital, a significant number are still under care, with five in critical condition. Those hurt include two officers who attended the scene.

A wounded man is a member of the public who rushed to the scene to tackle one of the attackers. Called a hero, he sustained bullet wounds but is expected to recover in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

One of those wounded is Arsen Ostrovsky, a human rights lawyer. It has been reported he was hurt and is receiving treatment in hospital.

He wrote, he recounted 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 survived.

Evan Zlatkis

Evan Zlatkis, a media director, was also injured in the attack. He told reporters he listened to “a large number” of gunshots.

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