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

At least 16 lives perished and more than 40 sustained injuries when assailants fired on a Hanukah event at Bondi Beach, an incident Australian police have called a terrorist attack.

As of the newest reports, officials have confirmed the number of fatalities is 16, including one of the alleged gunmen. Furthermore, 42 injured people were taken to the hospital.

Those who died are still awaiting officially identified, but authorities state their ages span between 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.

Reportedly a father of five children, he was the associate rabbi at a local Jewish cultural centre. Family members and friends spoke of him as “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very kind and sociable 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, meet his end in this way?” a family member remarked.

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

Alexander Kleytman

Alexander Kleytman was also among those killed, according to his wife.

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

The pair were both survivors of the Holocaust, having experienced immense hardship in their childhood. They had subsequently immigrated 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 said that France stood with his family and loved ones, the Jewish community, and the Australian people.

“This despicable act is a fresh and tragic example of a revolting outpouring of hatred against Jews that we must combat,” the message read.

One Child

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

One Israeli Citizen

A national of Israel was among those killed in the incident, as per multiple sources citing the Israeli foreign ministry.

Those Injured

Of the 42 people transported to hospital, a significant number are still under care, with a number in a critical state. Those hurt include two police officers who responded to the attack.

A wounded man is a member of the public who attempted to intervene to tackle one of the attackers. Called 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. Reports indicate he was injured and is receiving treatment in hospital.

In a message, he recounted the scene as an “horrific scene,” but also praised the actions of those who came to assist. He stated he felt it was a “stroke of luck” he survived.

Evan Zlatkis

Evan Zlatkis, a media director, was another casualty in the attack. He said he heard “a large number” of gunshots.

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