Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl are among the victims identified in the tragic incident at Bondi Beach, described as a “bloodbath.”

A 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor were among the 15 victims tragically killed after gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, turning what was meant to be a joyful gathering into a horrific bloodbath.

Two shooters unleashed gunfire during the event, killing 16 people, including one of the attackers, and injuring 42 others in an assault that authorities are calling a targeted act of antisemitic terrorism.

The victims, whose ages ranged from a young child to an elderly Holocaust survivor in his late 80s, have not all been officially identified, but the attack is being described as an unprecedented act of brutality.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack “an act of pure evil” and “an act of terrorism” that occurred at an iconic Australian location. “Bondi Beach, a place associated with joy, families gathering, and celebrations, is forever tarnished by what has occurred,” he said in a statement to the Associated Press (AP).

‘Bloodbath’
Witnesses to the attack described scenes of panic and devastation, with children screaming, families fleeing in all directions, and the sounds of gunfire reverberating across the beach. What had been a lively celebration, featuring a menorah lighting, music, food, face painting, and a petting zoo, was instantly transformed into chaos, grief, and disbelief.

Arsen Ostrovsky, a human rights lawyer and one of the attendees, was grazed by a bullet in the head. Having recently relocated from Israel to Sydney to work for a Jewish advocacy group, he described the scene as “pure evil,” calling it an “absolute bloodbath” with bodies scattered everywhere. “I never thought this would be possible here in Australia,” he told the AP.

Child Killed
Among the youngest victims was 10-year-old Matilda, who was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital, where she tragically passed away later that evening, according to The Guardian.

Matilda’s aunt, Lina, posted the heartbreaking news on Facebook, writing: “A great tragedy has befallen my family. My beloved niece Matilda was killed during a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. I don’t know how we will survive such grief.”

Matilda, described by her language teacher as a “bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her,” has left a profound emptiness in her school and local community following her untimely death.

“We remember Matilda with love, grief, and deep sorrow, and we honor her memory by standing together in compassion,” her teacher, Irina Goodhew, wrote in a Facebook post, encouraging others to support Matilda’s grieving mother through a GoFundMe campaign.

‘Raised himself up to protect me’
Also among those tragically killed in the attack was Alexander Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor who had rebuilt his life in Australia after enduring the horrors of World War II.

His wife of 50 years, Larisa, survived the attack thanks to Alexander’s final, heroic act of devotion. As gunfire rang out, Alexander moved closer to her, shielding her from the bullets, a selfless act that ultimately saved her life.

“We were standing and suddenly came the ‘boom boom,’ and everybody fell down. At this moment, he was behind me, and at one point, he decided to move close to me. He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me,” Larisa recalled, according to The Guardian.

“I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me,” she added, as reported by People.

Survived ‘unspeakable terror of the Holocaust’
The Kleytmans had shared their Holocaust experiences with JewishCare in 2023. The organization’s annual report highlighted that Alexander had survived horrific conditions in Siberia during the Nazi era, where he lived with his mother and younger brother.

“As children, both Larisa and Alexander faced the unspeakable terror of the Holocaust. Alex’s memories are particularly harrowing; he recalls the dreadful conditions in Siberia where he, his mother, and younger brother struggled to survive,” the 2022-23 report stated.

“Despite the trauma of their past, they were determined to build a better future, eventually immigrating to Australia from Ukraine.”

Gunmen identified
The BBC reported that the two gunmen have been identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who died at the scene, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, who remains in critical condition in the hospital.

The two men reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, and Prime Minister Albanese stated that their actions were clearly driven by “extremist ideology.”

Authorities are continuing to investigate how the gunmen acquired their weapons, their ideological motivations, and whether anyone else was involved. Security has been increased at religious sites worldwide, and Jewish communities are bracing for more difficult days ahead.

Bondi Beach, once a symbol of Australian diversity and freedom, has now become a crime scene – forever associated not with sun and surf, but with bloodshed and unimaginable loss.

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