What We Know About the Those Lost of the Bondi Shooting

No fewer than 16 people lost their lives and more than 40 were wounded when attackers fired on a Hanukah event at Bondi Beach, an incident local police have labeled a terrorist attack.

According to the most recent information, authorities have stated the number of fatalities stands at 16, including one of the suspected attackers. Furthermore, 42 injured people were admitted to medical facilities.

Those who died are still awaiting publicly named, but police believe their ages span from 10 and 87 years old.

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

Eli Schlanger

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

Reportedly a father-of-five, he was the associate rabbi at a local Jewish cultural centre. Relatives and friends 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 joyful 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 said.

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

Alexander Kleytman

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

She told the moments leading up to the attack, saying they were standing when the gunfire started. “He moved to protect me because he wished to be near me,” she said.

The couple were both Holocaust survivors, having faced immense hardship in their youth. They had subsequently moved to Australia from Eastern Europe.

Dan Elkayam

French foreign ministry have confirmed that French national Dan Elkayam is among the dead.

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

“This cowardly attack is a fresh and tragic example of a disgusting rise of hatred against Jews that we must combat,” the message read.

One Child

A young girl, aged 10 who was taken to the Sydney Children’s Hospital has been confirmed among the fatalities, according to police reports.

One Israeli Citizen

One victim from Israel was among those killed in the incident, as per reports citing the Israeli foreign ministry.

Those Injured

From the 42 people taken to hospital, a significant number remain receiving treatment, with five in serious condition. The injured comprise two police officers who attended the scene.

One of the injured is a member of the public who attempted to intervene to confront one of the attackers. Hailed as a local hero, he received gunshot wounds but is recovering well in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

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

He wrote, he recounted the incident as an “horrific scene,” but also praised the actions of those who came to assist. He stated 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 said he heard “dozens and dozens” of gunshots.

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