SYDNEY — Thousands of people gathered at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening to mark one week since a fatal mass shooting claimed the lives of 15 innocent people there.
A minute’s silence was held at 6.47 p.m. local time, marking the time that the first gunshots rang out, Australia’s 9News network reported.
Premier of the Australian state of New South Wales Chris Minns apologized at the ceremony. “I acknowledge the government and its highest duty is to protect the citizens and we did not do that one week ago,” he said.
Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn said she had received letters from leaders around the world following the mass shooting. She read the letter from King Charles III, which said that in times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve.
The fatal shooting, which targeted an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, was Australia’s most deadly mass shooting since 1996. (Xinhua)