Bondi Beach massacre death toll rises to 16: Survivor dies from complications resulting from their injuries almost eleven months later

A survivor of the Bondi Beach massacre has died from complications stemming from her injuries as the one year anniversary of the tragedy looms.

Great-grandmother Eva Geller, 90, was shot during the terrorist attack in Sydney‘s eastern suburbs on December 14 last year.

The Holocaust survivor originally from Hungary had spent lengthy stints in hospital for extensive wounds she sustained in the alleged attack, including shrapnel in her leg.

She managed to make it to the synagogue to commemorate High Holy Days but recently returned to hospital following an infection. 

Ms Geller suffered a stroke while receiving treatment in Prince of Wales Hospital and died on Thursday night – taking the death toll from the massacre to 16. 

‘Ever since being shot at the Bondi attack she’d been in and out of hospital, always wanting to come home,’ Rabbi Aron Moss from Nefesh Synagogue told News 24.

‘She was told she will never walk again but miraculously, and with incredible determination, she did walk again.

‘She escaped the Holocaust as a child, eventually coming to Australia, and built a beautiful family.’

Great-grandmother Eva Geller, 90, has died almost 11months after the Bondi terrorist attack

The death toll from the Bondi terrorist attack has risen to 16 after Ms Geller died in hospital on Thursday night

Alleged shooter Naveed Akram on the bridge at Bondi that evening

Ms Geller’s funeral will be held at Chevra Kadisha Memorial Hall in Woollahra on Monday. 

Ms Geller becomes the eldest victim of the terror attack, which was previously fellow Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, 87.

The youngest victim was 10-year-old schoolgirl Matilda, who would have celebrated her 11th birthday on Thursday.

NSW Police says it is now awaiting further advice and are working with the office of the coroner.

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich was devastated to learn of Ms Geller’s death.

‘Eva Geller came to that beach healthy and living on her own. She spent much of the year that followed in a hospital bed,’ he told the Daily Mail in a statement.

‘I call on the Prime Minister and the NSW Premier to ensure Eva Geller’s name is read with the 15 other victims at every commemoration on 14 December, and that the toll of this massacre is counted in full, including every life it claims in the months after.’

NSW Chris Minns led the outpouring of tributes.

The Bondi Beach terrorist attack was the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which 35 people were killed

‘My thoughts are with Eva’s family and the Jewish community as they face another painful loss,’ Minns said in a statement.

‘Almost a year on, we are still living with the pain and aftershock of that evil act.

‘We will never forget Eva or any victim whose life was changed forever.’

Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly opened fire during Hanukkah celebrations at Archer Park near Bondi Beach on December 14 last year.

Sajid was shot dead by police during the alleged attack while his son Naveed faces 59 charges including terrorism offences and multiple counts of murder. 

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion heard from more than 340 witnesses earlier this year.

The commissioner, former High Court Justice Virginia Bell, is expected to hand down her findings next month.

The alleged attack was the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which 35 people were killed.