No fewer than 16 lives were killed and in excess of 40 were hurt when assailants shot at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, a tragedy Australian police have called a act of terrorism.
According to the most recent information, officials have announced the number of fatalities remains at 16, encompassing one of the suspected gunmen. Moreover, 42 people with injuries were taken to the hospital.
Those who died have not yet been publicly named, but investigators think their ages span from 10 and 87 years of age.
Below are the individuals who have been identified to date.
Originally from London rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was the first to be publicly identified.
Reportedly a father of five children, he was the assistant rabbi at a local Jewish cultural centre. Family members and acquaintances remembered him as “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm outgoing person who was dedicated to assisting others”.
“How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to share joy and positivity, to make the world a better place, meet his end in this way?” a relative remarked.
Schlanger and his wife had recently celebrated the birth of their newest son just a few months ago.
Alexander Kleytman was also confirmed among the deceased, according to his wife.
She described the moments before the attack, explaining they had been standing together when the shooting erupted. “He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me,” she stated.
The husband and wife were both survivors of the Holocaust, having experienced immense hardship in their youth. They had later immigrated to Australia from Eastern Europe.
French foreign ministry have confirmed that French man Dan Elkayam is among the victims.
Officially, the Foreign Minister said that France mourned with his family, 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 put a stop to,” the statement continued.
A young girl, aged 10 who was rushed to the a children's hospital succumbed to her injuries, according to police reports.
One victim from Israel was among those killed during the attack, as per reports citing the Israeli government.
Of the 42 people taken to hospital, many remain under care, with five in critical condition. Those hurt include two police officers who attended the scene.
One of the injured is a member of the public who rushed to the scene to confront one of the gunmen. Described as a local hero, he received gunshot wounds but is expected to recover in hospital.
Among the injured is Arsen Ostrovsky, a human rights lawyer. It has been reported he was hurt and underwent 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 said he believed it was a “stroke of luck” he survived.
Evan Zlatkis, a media director, was also injured in the shooting. He described he heard “dozens and dozens” of gunshots.
“I thought it was something less lethal, but it’s gone into my own skin and into my leg,” he said. “I was hit. They bandaged me up. I’m ok.”
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