Sydney, Jan 1 (NationPress) Two young individuals have been hospitalized after being stabbed during the New Year’s Eve festivities in both Sydney and Melbourne.
Authorities in Sydney reported on Wednesday that police were dispatched to a park located in the suburb of Guildford, approximately 20 km west of central Sydney, at 10:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday night following an alert regarding a stabbing, as per Xinhua news agency.
Upon arrival, officers learned that a group of males was allegedly engaging in the illegal activity of setting off fireworks in the park when a 17-year-old was stabbed in the back.
The injured teenager received treatment from ambulance personnel on-site before being transported to a nearby hospital in serious but stable condition, as stated by the police.
The suspected assailant escaped the scene.
Throughout Sydney's central business district, law enforcement made 36 arrests as over a million people gathered to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
The arrests accounted for various offenses, including assault, robbery, and possession of weapons.
More than 200,000 individuals flocked to prime viewing spots along the Sydney Harbor on Tuesday to enjoy the city’s famous fireworks display.
“Police were occupied by a small number of revelers acting irresponsibly, but those incidents were swiftly addressed,” stated Assistant Police Commissioner Peter McKenna.
In Melbourne, police dealt with 52 reported assaults and detained 14 individuals for weapon possession.
In a related incident, a teenager was stabbed in the coastal suburb of Blairgowrie around 5:45 p.m. and was subsequently transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Two teenagers were apprehended by the police in connection with the attack.
Moreover, illegal fireworks led to several small fires in the city; however, authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported.
“Ensuring the safety of the NSW community is our top priority, so for those who continue to celebrate into the early hours, we will have police present in the air, on the roads, and on water to guarantee a memorable night for all the right reasons,” assured police officials.
General duty officers remained vigilant on the streets into the early morning hours alongside specialized units from the riot squad, mounted police, dog command, PolAir, water police, and other divisions.
