She is the youngest known victim of the mass shooting in Bondi Beach, Australia, which left at least 16 people dead and 40 others injured.
A young girl who tragically died in yesterday’s Bondi Beach shooting has been named, with her family paying tribute to her as a “bright, joyful and spirited child”.
The mass shooting at Australia’s Bondi Beach has claimed at least 16 lives, including one gunman, whilst a further 40 people remain in hospital being treated for injuries. The attackers unleashed gunfire during a Jewish festival on the beach, with a highly-regarded British Rabbi and a 10 year old girl amongst those caught up in the appalling terrorist attack.
Officials have designated the incident as a “terrorist incident” and confirmed a 50 year old gunman is amongst the dead. Officers discovered “several” explosive devices at the scene, believed to be linked to the deceased suspected attacker.
A second perpetrator, named by a senior law enforcement official as Naveed Akram, has sustained injuries and remains in police custody. It has emerged that the attackers were father and son.
Information about the victims who lost their lives in the terror attack is slowly coming to light in the hours following the deadly incident. Amongst the most recent to be identified is a 10 year old girl who had been celebrating Hanukkah on the beach, according to the Mirror, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Matilda Poltavchenko, aged just 10, has been confirmed as the youngest known victim thus far. Heartbroken relatives have described her as a “bright, joyful and spirited” child.
She was struck by gunfire whilst taking part in the Hanukkah celebrations. The heartbreaking news of Matilda’s death during a terrorist attack in Bondi Beach was confirmed by her aunt Lina on social media.
“Yesterday my beloved niece Matilda was killed during a terrorist attack in Bondi Beach. I don’t know how we survive such grief,” she wrote, as reported by MailOnline.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Matilda’s mother, Valentina Poltavchenko, and had already raised over $10,000 by Monday morning.
Matilda’s language teacher, Irina Goodhew, who launched the fundraiser, paid tribute to her: “I knew her as a bright, joyful and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her. While celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts.”
She added that “Mailda’s mother, Valentina Poltavchenko, is the beneficiary of this fundraiser. 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.”
Donations can be made to the GoFundMe page via this link.
