Information Available About the Victims of the Bondi Beach Terror Attack

No fewer than 16 people lost their lives and over 40 sustained injuries when assailants shot at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, a tragedy local authorities have called a terrorist attack.

According to the most recent information, officials have announced the death toll remains at 16, encompassing one of the suspected attackers. Additionally, 42 wounded individuals were taken to medical facilities.

The deceased have not yet been formally identified, but authorities state their ages range between 10 and 87 years of age.

Here are the individuals who have been named so far.

Eli Schlanger

London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was the first victim to be named.

Known as a father of five children, he was the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. Relatives and friends spoke of him as “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very kind and sociable person who loved to help people”.

“How can a happy rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, lose his life in this way?” a family member remarked.

Schlanger and his wife celebrated the arrival of their youngest child in October.

Alexander Kleytman

Alexander Kleytman also lost his life, according to his wife.

She told the events before the shooting, saying they had been standing together when the gunfire started. “He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me,” she recalled.

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

Dan Elkayam

The French foreign ministry have confirmed that French national 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 antisemitic hatred that we must eradicate,” the message read.

One Child

A child who was taken to the Sydney Children’s Hospital is among those who had died, authorities stated.

One Israeli Citizen

One victim from Israel was a fatality during the attack, according to reports referencing the Israeli government.

Those Injured

Of the 42 people transported to hospitals, many are still under care, with a number in a critical state. 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. Described as a hero, he received gunshot wounds but is in stable condition in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

Among the injured is Arsen Ostrovsky, a community leader. Sources state he was wounded and is receiving treatment in hospital.

He wrote, he recounted the incident as an “absolute bloodbath,” but also noted the actions of those who came to assist. He said he believed 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 heard “dozens and dozens” of shots.

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