What We Know About the Those Lost of the Bondi Shooting

A minimum of 16 individuals lost their lives and over 40 sustained injuries when gunmen opened fire at a Hanukah event at Bondi Beach, an incident local police have called a act of terrorism.

As of the newest reports, authorities have stated the number of fatalities is 16, including one of the suspected gunmen. Furthermore, 42 wounded individuals were admitted to hospital.

The deceased are yet to be publicly named, but investigators think their ages span from 10 and 87 years old.

Listed are the individuals who have been identified to date.

Eli Schlanger

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

Known as a father-of-five, he was the associate rabbi at a local Jewish cultural centre. Family members and friends described him as “lively, dynamic, and vibrant and a very warm outgoing person who loved to help people”.

“How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to share joy and positivity, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?” a family member said.

Schlanger and his wife had recently celebrated the birth of their youngest child in October.

Alexander Kleytman

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

She described the moments leading up to the shooting, saying they had been standing together when the gunfire erupted. “He shielded me because he wished to be near me,” she recalled.

The couple were both survivors of the Holocaust, having endured unspeakable terror in their youth. They had subsequently immigrated to Australia from Eastern Europe.

Dan Elkayam

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

Publicly, the Foreign Minister said that France mourned with his family, the Jewish community, and the Australian people.

“This cowardly attack is a new, tragic manifestation of a revolting outpouring of antisemitic hatred that we must combat,” the statement read.

One Child

A child who was taken to the Sydney Children’s Hospital succumbed to her injuries, according to police reports.

One Israeli Citizen

An Israeli citizen was also killed in the incident, as per multiple sources referencing the Israeli foreign ministry.

Those Injured

Of the 42 people transported to hospitals, many are still under care, with five in critical condition. The injured include two police officers who responded to the attack.

A wounded man is a member of the public who rushed to the scene to tackle one of the gunmen. 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 human rights lawyer. Reports indicate he was injured and underwent treatment in hospital.

Communicating, he recounted the incident as an “absolute bloodbath,” but also praised the response of those who came to assist. He stated he felt it was a “miracle” he survived.

Evan Zlatkis

Evan Zlatkis, a community director, was another casualty in the attack. He told reporters he heard “a large number” of shots.

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