Terror in plain sight

Deadly attacks in Sydney’s Bondi area and on Taipei’s metro jolted two cities within days, raising fresh fears about safety in public spaces and prompting swift responses from authorities as people grapple with shock and grief.

1. Taiwan police cordoning off the scene after a knife attack in Taipei. — AP

2. People lighting candles on Manly Beach in Sydney on Dec 21, as part of a national day of reflection honouring the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. — AFP

3. Australia’s Prime minister Anthony Albanese and his wife Jodie Haydon attending the ‘Light Over Darkness’ vigil in Sydney, honouring the Bondi victims and survivors. — Reuters

4. The seventh candle on a menorah is lit for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah as mourners gather next to floral tributes laid out in memory of the victims in Sydney. — AFP

5. People attending the ‘Light Over darkness’ vigil in Sydney. — Reuters

6. The parents of the suspect in the Dec 19 Taipei metro stabbings kneeling in apology during an appearance at the Taipei City Forensic Inspection and Autopsy Center. — CNA/ AFP

7. A police officer giving a news briefing on the deadly knife attack in Taipei. — AP

8. People paying their respects to the stabbing victims outside the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi store, near Zhongshan station, in Taipei. — Reuters

9. The Sydney Opera House is illuminated with candlelights on Dec 21, as part of a national day of reflection honouring the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. — AFP