No fewer than 16 people perished and in excess of 40 were hurt when attackers opened fire at a Hanukah event at Bondi Beach, an incident local authorities have called a terrorist attack.
According to the most recent information, officials have stated the number of fatalities remains at 16, including one of the alleged attackers. Additionally, 42 people with injuries were admitted to medical facilities.
The deceased are yet to be officially identified, but authorities state their ages span between 10 and 87 years old.
Below are the victims who are known so far.
Originally from London clergyman Eli Schlanger, 41, was the first victim to be named.
Described as a father-of-five, he worked as the assistant rabbi at a local Jewish cultural centre. Family members and friends spoke of him as “lively, dynamic, and vibrant and a very warm outgoing person who was dedicated to assisting others”.
“How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?” a relative remarked.
Schlanger and his wife celebrated the arrival of their youngest child in October.
Alexander Kleytman was also among those killed, according to his wife.
She described the events before the shooting, stating they had been standing together when the shooting erupted. “He moved to protect me because he wanted to stay near me,” she recalled.
The couple were both Holocaust survivors, having endured immense hardship in their childhood. They had later immigrated to Australia from Ukraine.
French foreign ministry have announced that French national Dan Elkayam is among the victims.
In a statement, a senior official declared that France mourned with his family, the Jewish community, and the Australian people.
“This despicable act is a fresh and tragic example of a revolting outpouring of antisemitic hatred that we must combat,” the statement continued.
A child who was rushed to the Sydney Children’s Hospital succumbed to her injuries, police have confirmed.
A national of Israel was a fatality during the attack, as per reports referencing the Israeli foreign ministry.
Of the 42 people taken to hospital, many are still receiving treatment, with a number in a critical state. Those hurt include two police officers who responded to the attack.
A casualty is a member of the public who attempted to intervene to tackle one of the attackers. Described as a local hero, he sustained gunshot wounds but is expected to recover in hospital.
Among the injured is Arsen Ostrovsky, a public affairs professional. Reports indicate he was wounded and is receiving treatment in hospital.
He wrote, he described the incident as an “horrific scene,” but also praised the response of those who rushed to help. He stated he felt it was a “stroke of luck” he was alive.
Evan Zlatkis, a community director, was another casualty in the shooting. He described he heard “a large number” of shots.
“Initially, I believed it was something less lethal, but it penetrated my own skin and into my leg,” he said. “I’ve been shot myself. I received first aid. I’m ok.”
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