Day of Reflection: Australia marks one week since deadly Bondi attack
People across Australia were set on Sunday to light a candle at 6:47 pm (0747 GMT) to mark one week since a deadly terror attack on participants at a Jewish festival on Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
On Friday, the federal and New South Wales governments declared Sunday, December 21, “a Day of Reflection to honour the victims of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.”
Sunday marks one week since two gunmen opened fire on crowds at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and injuring dozens. Most of the victims were Jewish people marking the first day of Hanukkah.
It is also the last day of the eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
“On Sunday, flags on all New South Wales and Australian government buildings will be flown at half-mast,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday.
“As a mark of respect for the lives lost and the grief shared across our nation, we invite people across Australia to light a candle at 6:47 pm, exactly one week since the attack unfolded, as a quiet act of remembrance with family, friends or loved ones. We’re asking all Australians to observe a minute of silence.”
Investigators have identified the Bondi attackers as a father and son. The 50-year-old father was shot dead by police at the scene, while the 24-year-old son was injured and later charged with 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.
