15 Dec 2025

The victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack

5:40 pm on 15 December 2025
The 10-year-old girl who was killed in the Bondi Beach shooting has been identified as Matilda.

The 10-year-old girl who was killed in the Bondi Beach shooting has been identified as Matilda. Photo: GoFundMe

A 10-year-old girl, a Rabbi and a Holocaust survivor are among the those killed during a terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

Sixteen people, including one of the gunmen, were killed during the mass shooting on Sunday evening.

Those who died are yet to be formally identified; however, New South Wales (NSW) police believe their ages range between 10- and 87-years-old.

Matilda, aged 10

"Just a happy kid": The youngest victim of the Bondi Beach shootings, Matilda.

Just a happy kid": The youngest victim of the Bondi Beach shootings, Matilda. Photo: Supplied/ABC

The 10-year-old victim of Sunday's terrorist attack at Bondi Beach has been described as "just a happy kid" by her family, but they worry about how her younger sister will cope with the loss.

Matilda was the youngest of 15 victims to lose their life, after two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah event near the Bondi Pavillion on Sunday, injuring more than 40 other people.

Her aunt Lina spoke on behalf of the family to ABC News, asking that their surnames be withheld.

"Matilda was very friendly, she loves school, has a lot of friends," she said.

"She's just a happy kid, always gives me cuddles."

Lina said Matilda was taken to the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick after being injured in the shooting, but had lost a lot of blood.

She said Matilda's younger sister is struggling to come to terms with the loss.

"She's in absolute shock and stress, she's missing her sister badly, she was lucky she didn't get any injuries, but her mental state now.

"Imagine you see your beautiful little sister that you love just being killed in front of you.

"They were like twins, they've never been separated."

The two gunmen have been identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and 24-year-old Naveed Akram, who police revealed are father and son.

Lina said she feels sorry for them.

"They come to the country of peace and beauty and they're ending up like this," she said.

"I don't even feel anger, I just feel sadness and sorry-ness for what they've done, to peaceful people who never do anything against them."

- ABC News

Marika Pognay was killed in the Bondi terror attack.

Marika Pognay. Photo: Supplied/NSW police

Marika Pogany

Marika Pogany, 82, was identified on Monday night.

Pognay was known as Omi, and was a mother, and grandmother, and was described by her family as vibrant and full of life.

Pognay moved to Australia in 1968 from Czechoslovakia with her brother Ivan and son Romy, and she became an Australian citizen in 1972.

Her family said Pognay was deeply devoted to her community and was a very proud Australian.

Adam Smyth was killed in the Bondi terror attack.

Adam Smyth. Photo: Supplied

Adam Smyth

Smyth was a father of four who was out walking with his wife Katrina on Sunday evening when they found themselves caught in the middle of the attacks.

His family described his love of family, friends, travel and sport - he was an avid supporter of Liverpool in the English Premier League, the Sydney Swans in the AFL and Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL.

Smyth was described as a generous and kind person, who will be dearly missed by his family.

Boris and Sofia Gurman were killed in the Bondi terror attack.

Boris and Sofia Gurman. Photo: Supplied

Boris and Sofia Gurman

Boris and Sofia Gurman were married for 34 years, with their 35th wedding anniversary approaching in January.

The couple were described as being deeply devoted to their family and were well known in the community for their kindness, warmth, and willingness to help others.

Boris was a retired mechanic, and Sofia was working at Australia Post for the past five years.

Dan Elkayam was killed in the Bondi terror attack.

Dan Elkayam. Photo: Supplied

Dan Elkayam

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed a French citizen, Dan Elkayam, was killed in the attack.

"I think of his family and loved ones and express to them the full solidarity of the Nation," Macron wrote in a translated post on social media.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said, "we mourn with his family and loved ones, with the Jewish community and the bereaved Australian people".

"France will spare no effort to root out antisemitism wherever it emerges, and to combat terrorism in all its forms," he wrote in a translated post on social media.

"The lights of Hanukkah must not go out and will not go out."

Elkayam was enjoying a sunny summer day at Bondi and was celebrating the first day of Hanukkah with friends. He was shot in the back while trying to run away.

He leaves behind his partner in Australia, as well as his family in France, where he was born and raised.

He was an IT engineer and was sponsored by NBCUniversal. His family said he was building a life in Australia, a country he loved.

He was a passionate football player and had played for a number of teams in France and Australia. He also loved nature and was a certified scuba diver.

Frenchman Dan Elkayam is among the dead.

Frenchman Dan Elkayam was among the dead. Photo: Facebook

Elkayam's football club Rockdale Ilinden FC paid tribute to him on social media.

"Dan was an integral member of our PL1 Squad in 2025 - who was an extremely talented and popular figure amongst teammates," it read.

"Our deepest and sincerest condolences to Dan's family, friends and all that knew him."

Boris Tetleroyd was killed in the Bondi terror attack.

Boris Tetleroyd. Photo: Supplied

Boris Tetleroyd

Tetleroyd's family said he was deeply connected to his wider community and cherished by his family.

He leaves behind his two sons Yaakov and Roman, and his wife Svetlana.

He was described as a gifted musician and a valued member of his community.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger's family confirmed his death.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger's family confirmed his death. Photo: chabad.org

Eli Schlanger

Rabbi Eli Schlanger has been confirmed as one of the 16 people killed.

His cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, announced his death online.

"My dear cousin, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was murdered in today's terrorist attack in Sydney," Lewis wrote.

"He leaves behind his wife and young children, as well as my uncle and aunt and siblings."

Rabbi Schlanger was the head of the Chabad mission in Bondi and served his community for 18 years.

"He was truly an incredible guy," his cousin wrote.

Reuven Morrison.

Reuven Morrison. Photo: ABC News /Danuta Kozaki

Reuven Morrison

Businessman Reuven Morrison emigrated from the Soviet Union as a teenager in the 1970s and made his home in Bondi.

In the wake of last year's attack on a Melbourne synagogue, he told the ABC News he'd grown up watching his back and had hoped Australia would be a safe place for Jewish people.

Alex Kleytman was killed in the Bondi terror attack.

Alexander Kleytman. Photo: Supplied

Alexander Kleytman

As a child, Alexander Kleytman survived the Holocaust fighting alongside his mother and younger brother to make it through the harsh Siberian winter.

After the war, he moved from Ukraine to Australia to work as a civil engineer.

His children and grandchildren were also attending the Bondi Hanukkah celebrations. Alexander's wife, Larissa, says her husband of 57 years died trying to protect her from the bullets.

Kleytman worked as a civil engineer and estimator his entire life, first in the former Soviet Union and then in Australia.

He retired in Australia at 76, having worked on many essential projects, including the Sydney Olympic Stadium.

He was described by a former colleague as a talented engineer and was a founding member of what became John Holland Water.

After retirement he became a lobbyist, passionately advocating against some aspects of the Sydney Light Rail.

His real passion was writing books about the lives of Jewish people in the Soviet Union, and he had two books published.

Kleytman was also an avid table tennis and chess player.

Yaakov Levitan

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan had served as the secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, the Jewish religious court, the ABC reported.

Tibor Weitzen

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, the Daily Mail reported.

Peter Meagher

A former policeman and volunteer at the Randwick Rugby Club, Peter Meagher was thought to be at the Bondi event to take photographs when he was killed. A post on the Support Grassroots Rugby Facebook page paid tribute on Monday.

"Peter had made a career out of his hobby photography after retirement and was on assignment at Bondi. This tragedy wasn't just an attack on the Jewish community, it was an attack on our nation and way of life," it said.

"Peter not only served our country upholding our safety and laws. He actively gave back to society through his love of our sport, giving tirelessly. "

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