In a heartbreaking development, the identities of the first victims of the horrific attack at Bondi Beach have been revealed. Among those lost are a 10-year-old girl, two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, a cherished father, a young French national, and a photographer who was on assignment.

This tragic event unfolded at one of Australia’s most iconic tourist spots on Sunday evening, during the Chanukah by the Sea celebration, marking the start of Hanukkah. The festive gathering turned into a scene of chaos and sorrow as the attack took place.

Authorities report that Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, allegedly carried out the assault. The two men, armed with military-grade weapons, positioned themselves on a pedestrian footbridge and unleashed gunfire on the crowd below, which included locals, tourists, and families enjoying the festivities.

The attack resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals, including Sajid Akram himself. Additionally, 42 people sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital, among them four children.

Police have confirmed that 14 individuals perished at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries later in the hospital. The ages of the victims spanned from 10 to 87 years, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of this senseless act of violence.

As of Monday, there were five people in critical condition, including two police officers – a constable and a probationary constable who was repeatedly shot in the face. 

Naveed Akram is in hospital under police guard after being shot by police.  

Matlida, 10 

Matilda died on Sunday night after she was shot while at the Chanukah by the Sea event.

In an emotional post shared to social media, her aunt Lina confirmed her niece had been killed. 

‘A great tragedy has happened to my family. Yesterday my beloved niece Matilda was killed during a terrorist attack in Bondi beach,’ she wrote. 

‘I don’t know how we survive such grief.’

In a GoFundMe, set up by Matilda’s language teacher Irina Goodhew, the little girl was remembered as a ‘bright, joyful, and spirited child’. 

‘I was Mailda’s language teacher, and I knew her as a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her,’ Ms Goodhew wrote. 

‘Yesterday, while celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts.’

The GoFundMe has raised more than $13,800 as of 12pm on Monday, with the funds going to Matilda’s mother, Valentina Poltavchenk.

‘All donations will be transferred directly to her to support the family during this incredibly difficult time. Donations are made in loving memory of Mailda,’ Ms Goodhew wrote.

Peter Meagher

Former police officer Peter Meagher killed at Bondi Beach on Sunday. 

After his retirement, Mr Meagher volunteered at the Randwick Rugby Club and pursued his hobby of photography. 

It is understood Mr Meagher was on a photography assignment at Bondi Beach when the shooting unfolded. 

In a post shared to the Support Grassroots Rugby, Mr Meagher was remembered for his selfless attitude.

‘I can’t believe the news, Peter Meagher was a manager at Randwick when I played there,’ the post read. 

‘This tragedy wasn’t just a attack on the Jewish community, it’s was a attack on our nation and way of life.

‘Peter not only served our country up holding our safety and laws. He actively gave back to society through his love of our sport, giving tirelessly. R.I.P Peter my friend.’

Tibor Weitzen

Beloved father and husband Tibor Weitzen has been identified as one of the victims after he was fatally wounded while shielding his wife from the gunfire – who survived the attack. 

Daily Mail understands Mr Weitzen, whose son works as an ABC sound engineer, died after he was shot as he tried to protect his wife. 

Eli Schlanger, 41

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was confirmed as one of the victims in a heartbreaking post shared to social media by this first cousin Rabbi Zalman Lewis. 

Rabbi Lewis wrote: ‘My dear cousin, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was murdered in today’s terrorist attack in Sydney.

‘He leaves behind his wife, young children, as well as my uncle and aunt, and his siblings. He was truly an incredible guy.’

Rabbi Schlanger was the head of the Chabad mission in Bondi where he had served the community for nearly two decades.

The British-born father-of-five was one of the organisers for the Chanukah by the Sea event targeted by the gunmen. 

Yakkov Levitan

Rabbi Yakkov Levitan has also been identified as another victim of the mass shooting. 

Rabbi Levitan served as a secretary of the Sydney Beth Din and worked at the BINA Centre, according to Chabad – a global organisation based in Brooklyn dedicated to sharing the Jewish faith and traditions around the world. 

While at the event, Rabbi Levitan was distributing tefillin – two small, black leather boxes containing Torah scrolls that are worn by male adult Jews committed to performing the Jewish rite. 

Alex Kleytman, 87

Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman was killed while protecting his wife of almost six decades from the gunfire. 

His wife Larisa told the Daily Mail her husband was shielding her from the bullets when he was fatally shot. 

‘I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me, in the back of the head,’ she said.

Married for 57 years, the pair, who are also beloved grandparents, travelled from Matraville, a suburb of Sydney, to celebrate Hanukkah with other Jewish people. 

Reuven Morrison 

Reuven Morrison, who served as an assistant at Bondi’s Wellington Street synagogue, put himself in harm’s way after meeting his friend Vladimir at the Chanukah event. 

An emotional Vladimir said he would have been caught up in the gunfire if he hadn’t needed to find parking. 

‘I saw everything and now my best friend is dead. He died in front of me,’ he told the Daily Mail. 

Vladimir was returning from the Chanukah celebration to sort out his car when the shooting began.  

‘I was leaving. I asked Reuven about what time to turn on the Chanukah lights and then I was walking away,’ he told the Daily Mail. 

‘I’d walked about 50 metres when I heard the shots and I turned around and there was a Chinese lady and her child and I said “get down!” and maybe that’s what saved me too. 

‘People started running and I looked up and saw the guy shooting from the bridge above towards the Chanukah area.  

‘Then there was one detective over the other side who started firing at the shooter on the ground. 

‘There was more firing and then Reuven got hit. He was trying to get people to get down out of the way and then maybe disarm the shooter on the ground, he was walking towards him to fight him. 

‘But then he was shot – hit in the kidneys, I think. I was there when he died.’

Dan Elkayam, 27

French Jewish man Dan Elkayam was also among the 15 people killed during the mass shooting. 

The French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the young man’s death on X on Monday. 

He wrote that Paris feels ‘immense sadness’ at the news, and is mourning ‘with his family and loved ones, with the Jewish community and the bereaved Australian people’. 

The 27-year-old had moved to Australia to work as an engineer about a year ago, the Le Parisien newspaper reported. 

Mr Elkayam was an avid football player and was part of Rockdale Ilinden FC Premier League team. 

The football club shared a touching tribute to Facebook on Monday, describing Mr Elkayam as a talented and popular member of the team.   

‘It is with extreme shock and sadness to discover our Premier League 1 player – Dan Elkayam – was a victim of the horrendous, tragic and senseless events at Bondi Beach,’ the club wrote. 

‘Dan was an integral member of our PL1 Squad in 2025 – who was an extremely talented and popular figure amongst team mates.

‘Our deepest and sincerest condolences to Dan’s family, friends and all that knew him. He will be missed. May he Rest in Peace – Memory be Eternal.’ 

Police officers critical

One of the officers suffered extensive injuries to his shoulder – which almost resulted in him bleeding to death – and was also shot in the stomach. 

The officer was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery to stop the bleeding. 

His wife, who is also a police officer and is pregnant, was informed about her husband’s critical condition and travelled from north of the state to be with him. 

Another officer, who is believed to be a probationary constable, is in critical condition after he was repeatedly shot in the face.  

It is understood he is being treated at an eye hospital and could lose his eye due to the severity of his injuries.  

Israel citizen killed

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed and Israeli citizen was killed in the attack, while another was also injured.   

‘The Israeli Embassy in Australia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department for Israelis in Distress are in contact with the family of the wounded individual, who is hospitalised at a local hospital,’ the ministry said in a statement. 

‘The Israeli Consul in Australia is expected to arrive at the hospital to accompany the wounded Israeli and assist the family.’

October 7 survivor injured

Arsen Ostrovsky, an international human rights lawyer, was out with his family alongside hundreds of other people when the terror attack unfolded. 

Mr Ostrovsky told the Daily Mail about his narrow survival after also living through the horrors of Hamas’s massacre at the Nova music festival in Israel. 

‘I lived through October 7th. Never imagined I’d see this horror in Australia,’ he said. 

‘Bullet grazed my head. Doctors said it was a miracle I survived, but I will make a recovery.’