Information Available About the Fatalities of the Bondi Beach Terror Attack

A minimum of 16 lives were killed and more than 40 were wounded when assailants fired on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, an attack Australian authorities have labeled a act of terrorism.

According to the most recent information, authorities have confirmed the number of fatalities is 16, encompassing one of the alleged gunmen. Moreover, 42 wounded individuals were taken to hospital.

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

Below are the victims who have been identified to date.

Eli Schlanger

London-born clergyman Eli Schlanger, 41, was the first to be publicly identified.

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

“How can 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 relative asked.

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

Alexander Kleytman

Alexander Kleytman was also among those killed, according to his wife.

She described the events leading up to the attack, saying they were standing when the gunfire began. “He shielded me because he wanted to stay near me,” she recalled.

The couple were both survivors of the Holocaust, having experienced unspeakable terror in their childhood. They had later relocated to Australia from Ukraine.

Dan Elkayam

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

In a statement, a senior official said that France mourned with his family, the Jewish community, and the Australian people.

“This cowardly attack is a fresh and tragic example of a revolting outpouring of hatred against Jews that we must eradicate,” the message continued.

One Child

A 10-year-old girl who was taken to the Sydney Children’s Hospital has been confirmed among the fatalities, police have confirmed.

One Israeli Citizen

An Israeli citizen was a fatality in the incident, according to multiple sources citing the Israeli government.

Those Injured

From the 42 people transported to hospitals, many are still receiving treatment, with several in a critical state. The injured comprise two police officers who responded to the attack.

A casualty is a member of the public who attempted to intervene to tackle one of the gunmen. Hailed as a local hero, he sustained bullet wounds but is expected to recover in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

Among the injured is Arsen Ostrovsky, a community leader. It has been reported he was wounded and is receiving treatment in hospital.

He wrote, he described the incident as an “utter carnage,” but also praised the actions of those who rushed to help. He said he felt it was a “stroke of luck” he was alive.

Evan Zlatkis

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

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