The Australian premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash has been cancelled in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Originally set to go ahead on Monday night at IMAX Sydney, with director James Cameron and star Sam Worthington scheduled to attend, organisers announced earlier today that the event will not be going ahead.
“Out of deep respect for the victims of the Bondi shooting, the planned Avatar: Fire and Ash premiere event today in Sydney has been cancelled,” a statement reads.
“Our hearts are with the community, the victims, their families and loved ones.”
A planned press junket for the film on Monday was also called off.
A red carpet event for the new Avatar film went ahead in Wellington this past Saturday.
As of this writing, the death toll from the shootings at Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16 overnight, including a 10-year-old girl. 42 people are being treated at hospitals across Sydney, including two police officers. Their conditions are currently serious.
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In a press conference at 10pm (AEDT) on Sunday, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon officially declared it as a “terrorist incident”. Lanyon said: “This type of disgraceful activity, the taking of innocent lives is unacceptable to New South Wales. It’s not our way of life. I’ve been very clear since I’ve been Commissioner that as a police force, we won’t stand for this style of violence.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the situation in a seperate press conference at 10:15pm (AEDT) on Sunday: “This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. An act of evil anti-semitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation. An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.”
The bystander who bravely tackled one of the gunmen during the attack, seen in videos online, has been identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two, who is currently recovering in hospital.
The investigation is ongoing.
