The Details Known Concerning the Victims of the Bondi Shooting

A minimum of 16 people lost their lives and in excess of 40 sustained injuries when assailants opened fire at a Hanukah event at Bondi Beach, a tragedy local police have labeled a terrorist attack.

In the latest update, officials have confirmed the number of fatalities stands at 16, including one of the suspected gunmen. Furthermore, 42 people with injuries were taken to hospital.

Those who died are yet to be formally identified, but police believe their ages span from 10 and 87 years of age.

Below are the victims who have been identified to date.

Eli Schlanger

Originally from London clergyman Eli Schlanger, 41, was the first to be publicly identified.

Reportedly a father of five children, he served as the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. Relatives and acquaintances spoke of him as “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm outgoing person who loved to help people”.

“How is it possible that 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 birth of their youngest child in October.

Alexander Kleytman

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

She described the events before the attack, explaining they had been standing together when the gunfire began. “He pushed his body up because he wished to be near me,” she said.

The pair were both Holocaust survivors, having faced unspeakable terror in their youth. They had later immigrated to Australia from Ukraine.

Dan Elkayam

French authorities have confirmed that French man Dan Elkayam is among the dead.

Officially, the Foreign Minister expressed that France shared the grief of his family and loved ones, the Jewish community, and the Australian people.

“This despicable act is a new, tragic manifestation of a disgusting rise of hatred against Jews that we must combat,” the statement read.

One Child

A 10-year-old girl who was rushed to the Sydney Children’s Hospital has been confirmed among the fatalities, authorities stated.

One Israeli Citizen

An Israeli citizen was a fatality in the incident, as per reports citing the Israeli foreign ministry.

Those Injured

Of the 42 people transported to hospitals, a significant number are still receiving treatment, with five in critical condition. Those hurt include two officers who responded to the attack.

One of the injured is a bystander who rushed to the scene to confront one of the attackers. Hailed as a local hero, he received gunshot wounds but is expected to recover in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

One of those wounded is Arsen Ostrovsky, a community leader. Reports indicate he was hurt and underwent treatment in hospital.

Communicating, he described the scene as an “utter carnage,” but also praised the response of those who rushed to help. He stated he believed it was a “stroke of luck” he survived.

Evan Zlatkis

Evan Zlatkis, a community director, was also injured in the shooting. He described he heard “a large number” of gunshots.

“I thought it was rubber bullets, but it penetrated my own skin and into my leg,” he stated. “I sustained a gunshot wound. I received first aid. I’m ok.”