WEB DESK
People across the world welcomed the new year 2019 and bade farewell to 2018 with festivities. Sydney and Hong Kong put on stunning fireworks displays in a spectacular welcome to the New Year, among the first in a wave of celebrations for billions around the world. In Moscow, concerts and light shows were held and more than 1,000 ice rinks were opened for people. In Paris, a fireworks display and sound and light show were organised on the Champs-Elysees.
Britain’s capital London ushered in the New Year with the fireworks display at the London Eye and music from the continent’s artists. Scottish capital Edinburgh celebrated its traditional Hogmanay celebrations. Revellers in Dubai flocked to see fireworks at the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa. In the Indonesian capital Jakarta, more than 500 couples tied the knot in a free mass wedding organised by the government, with fireworks shows cancelled out of respect for tsunami victims.
In Japan, locals flocked to temples to ring in 2019. The party atmosphere swept across major cities in Asia, Europe and Africa as the clock ticks past midnight. A strong police presence has become a key element of the festivities, to protect crowds that could be targeted in terror and vehicle attacks.
In India too, people are in a great festive mood. Delhiites ushered in the New Year with songs and dances at various places.
One of the country’s favourite holiday destinations, Goa has welcomed the new year with sparkling celebrations over the last evening that continued till early morning today. More from our correspondent.
In Chennai, thousands of people were gathered in the iconic Marina Beach and the Elliot’s Beach to welcome the dawn of the New Year, hoping to have a new beginning. Like every other New Year, UAE welcomed 2019 with a spectacular and dazzling firework display round the country.