What We Know About the Victims of the Bondi Beach Terrorist Incident

At least 16 people lost their lives and more than 40 sustained injuries when attackers fired on a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, an incident Australian police have called a terrorist attack.

In the latest update, authorities have confirmed the number of fatalities remains at 16, including one of the alleged gunmen. Furthermore, 42 wounded individuals were admitted to the hospital.

The deceased have not yet been officially identified, but investigators think their ages span between 10 and 87 years old.

Below are the individuals who have been identified to date.

Eli Schlanger

London-born clergyman Eli Schlanger, 41, was initially identified.

Known as a father-of-five, he worked as the associate rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. Relatives and acquaintances described him as “lively, dynamic, and vibrant and a very warm outgoing person who was dedicated to assisting others”.

“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 said.

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

Alexander Kleytman

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

She recounted the moments before the shooting, saying they had been standing together when the gunfire started. “He pushed his body up because he wished to be near me,” she recalled.

The husband and wife were both Holocaust survivors, having experienced unspeakable terror in their childhood. They had later relocated to Australia from Ukraine.

Dan Elkayam

French authorities have announced that French national Dan Elkayam is a casualty.

In a statement, a senior official declared 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 antisemitic hatred that we must eradicate,” the statement read.

One Child

A child who was rushed to the a children's hospital has been confirmed among the fatalities, police have confirmed.

One Israeli Citizen

A national of Israel was a fatality during the attack, according to reports citing the Israeli government.

Those Injured

From the 42 people taken to hospitals, many remain under care, with several in a critical state. The injured include two police officers who attended the scene.

A casualty is a bystander who attempted to intervene to tackle one of the gunmen. Hailed as a hero, he sustained bullet wounds but is recovering well in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

Among the injured is Arsen Ostrovsky, a community leader. Reports indicate he was injured and underwent treatment in hospital.

He wrote, he recounted the scene as an “absolute bloodbath,” but also praised the actions of those who rushed to help. 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 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. I received first aid. I’m ok.”