Paddlers and swimmers gathered at Bondi beach for a paddle-out to mark the terrorist attack – Image: Audrey Richardson/Getty Images
Thousands of people paddled out at Bondi Beach as Australia announced a gun buyback scheme and Sydney prepared for three more funerals.
Key points
- Thousands of people hold giant paddle-out at Bondi Beach
- Australia announces gun buyback scheme
- Mourners prepare for three more funerals
Here’s a roundup of Friday’s news around the terrorist attack at Bondi beach, which targeted Sydney’s Jewish community.
Surfers and swimmers hold minute’s silence
Thousands of surfers, swimmers and paddlers created a giant circle in the water of Bondi Beach on Friday morning.
They held a minute’s silence for the 15 people killed and others injured in Sunday’s terrorist attack.
Paddlers and swimmers form a circle to pay respect to victims, survivors and first responders of the Bondi shootings – Image: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
“It’s a pretty proud moment to be part of the community and see everyone come together in solidarity,” surfer Matt Douglas, who took part, told the Australian Financial Review.
Bondi is extremely popular with surfers, ocean swimmers and paddleboarders, and dozens of surfers were in the water when the two gunmen started shooting on Sunday evening.
Surf lifesavers will begin their regular patrols again at Bondi as of Saturday, national broadcaster ABC reported.
Australia announces gun buyback scheme, national day of mourning
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a gun buyback scheme to “help get guns off our streets.”
It will target surplus and newly banned guns, as well as illegal firearms.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday morning, Albanese also addressed criticism of changes to gun laws.
One of the shooters, who lived in Bonnyrigg, a suburban part of Sydney, legally owned six weapons.
“If a bloke in Bonnyrigg needs six high-powered rifles and is able to get them under the existing licensing scheme, then there’s something wrong,” Albanese said. “I think Australians can see that.”
He said he will work with the Jewish community to confirm a national day of mourning for the Bondi attack.
The federal government and the state of NSW, where Sydney is located, have declared this coming Sunday, December 21, as a day of reflection to honor the victims. Flags will be flown at half mast.
He has asked people across Australia to light a candle at 6:47 p.m. Sydney time (11:47 UST/GMT), the time the attack started one week ago.
Funerals for four victims to take place on Friday
Loved ones have farewelled Bondi couple Boris Gurman, aged 69, and his wife Sofia, aged 61. They have been hailed as heroes for stepping in to try to stop one of the gunmen at the beginning of the attack.
Dashcam footage captured by a passing car shows Boris Gurman wrestling with one of the gunmen and taking his weapon away.
It is thought the attacker used another gun to shoot them both.
The funeral for the couple, who had been married for 34 years, was held on Friday morning in eastern Sydney.
The funeral of Boris and Sofia Gruman was held in Sydney on Friday morning – Image: David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
Funerals for shooting victims Edith Brutman and Boris Tetleroyd will also be held.
(DW.com/NAN 19-12-25)
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