Information Available Regarding the Those Lost of the Bondi Beach Shooting

A minimum of 16 individuals were killed and more than 40 sustained injuries when gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, an incident Australian authorities are describing as a act of terrorism.

In the latest update, authorities have announced the death toll is 16, encompassing one of the alleged gunmen. Furthermore, 42 injured people were taken to medical facilities.

The deceased are yet to be formally identified, but investigators think their ages range from 10 and 87 years old.

Here are the victims who have been named to date.

Eli Schlanger

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

Known as a father-of-five, he worked as the assistant rabbi at a local Jewish cultural centre. Family members and acquaintances 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 share joy and positivity, to make the world a better place, lose his life in this way?” a family member asked.

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

Alexander Kleytman

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

She recounted the moments before the shooting, explaining they were standing when the gunfire started. “He moved to protect me because he wished to be near me,” she said.

The pair were both Holocaust survivors, having endured unspeakable terror in their childhood. They had subsequently moved to Australia from Eastern Europe.

Dan Elkayam

French authorities have announced that French national Dan Elkayam is among the dead.

Publicly, 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 fresh and tragic example of a disgusting rise of hatred against Jews that we must put a stop to,” the message read.

One Child

A 10-year-old girl who was taken to the Sydney Children’s Hospital succumbed to her injuries, police have confirmed.

One Israeli Citizen

One victim from Israel was a fatality in the incident, as per reports citing the Israeli government.

Those Injured

Of the 42 people transported to hospitals, a significant number are still under care, with a number in a critical state. Those hurt include two officers who attended the scene.

A casualty is a bystander who rushed to the scene to confront one of the attackers. Called a local hero, he received bullet wounds but is in stable condition in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

One of those wounded is Arsen Ostrovsky, a community leader. Sources state he was wounded and underwent treatment in hospital.

In a message, he described the scene as an “absolute bloodbath,” but also noted the actions of those who came to assist. He stated he believed it was a “miracle” he survived.

Evan Zlatkis

Evan Zlatkis, a media director, was also injured in the attack. He told reporters he heard “dozens and dozens” of gunshots.

“Initially, I believed it was rubber bullets, but it penetrated my own skin and into my leg,” he said. “I sustained a gunshot wound. They bandaged me up. I’m ok.”