A celebratory moment turned more somber as Australia welcomed 2026.
Ahead of Sydney's festivities to ring in the New Year, attendees held a moment of silence to remember the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, in which two gunmen fatally shot 15 people and wounded 40 others at the Sydney Jewish festival at the popular beach on Dec. 14.
At 11 p.m. local time on Dec. 31, the Sydney crowd was watching a fireworks display over the Harbor Bridge when a menorah was projected onto the structure's pylons along with the words "peace" and "unity." In response, those in attendance held up their phone flashlights in solidarity.
An hour later, the city rang in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display. The show, titled "Calling Country," was dedicated to the country's Indigenous history.
Thousands of armed police officers were present at the event to ensure its safety following the attack.
Watch the moment of silence at the top of this story.
In this aerial view, members of the Bondi community paddle and swim into the ocean and form a circle to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. At least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. The government is moving to tighten gun laws across the country." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Maddy and Rani embrace as hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In this aerial view, members of the Bondi community paddle and swim into the ocean and form a circle to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In this aerial view, members of the Bondi community paddle and swim into the ocean to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
People watch as hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A father and son from the Cussen family participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mish, right, embraces her friend, Ingrid, as hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See the massive heart surfers formed to honor the Bondi Beach victims
In this aerial view, members ofthe Bondi communitypaddle and swim into the ocean and form a circle to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. At least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. The government is moving to tighten gun laws across the country.
Details on the Bondi Beach attack
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised the country would crack down on hate speech following the attack. The youngest of the 15 victims was a 10-year-old girl named Matilda, who was laid to rest earlier this month. The eldest victim was 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman.
Speaking at the service honoring the girl's life, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman said: "The tragic, so totally cruel, unfathomable murder of young Matilda is something to all of us as if our own daughter was taken from us. Matilda grew up like a child would, loving what children love. She loved the outdoors, animals. She went to school, she had friends, everybody loved her."
The two men suspected of carrying out the attack are 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was killed exchanging gunfire with police, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Authorities have said the attack appears to have been inspired by the Islamic State.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Sydney goes silent on New Year's for Bondi Beach victims
