Australia rings in New Year with glittering fireworks in Sydney

The planned 9 p.m. fireworks over Sydney’s iconic landmarks were delayed by 15 minutes due to strong winds, but revellers enjoyed themselves in a desperately needed tonic for the state.

Sydney: More than a million people descended on a hazy Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas ahead of the ringing in of the new year despite the ongoing wildfire crisis ravaging New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state.

The planned 9 p.m. fireworks over Sydney’s iconic landmarks were delayed by 15 minutes due to strong winds, but revellers enjoyed themselves in a desperately needed tonic for the state.

New South Wales has copped the brunt of the wildfire damage, which has razed more than 1,000 homes nationwide and killed 12 people in the past few months.

Some communities have cancelled New Year’s fireworks celebrations, but Sydney Harbour's popular display was granted an exemption to a total fireworks ban that is in place there and elsewhere to prevent new wildfires.