SYDNEY — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday he was “profoundly sorry” for the failure to prevent the Bondi Beach mass shooting, as the country observed a day of mourning for the victims of the attack.

Police say a father and son opened fire at an event along the beach celebrating Hanukkah on December 14, killing 15 people in Australia’s worst mass shooting in decades.

They say the two men were inspired by Islamic State to carry out the attack, which the government has called an act of terrorism targeting Jewish people.

Flags were flown at half-mast across the country ahead of a memorial event at Sydney’s iconic Opera House, titled “Light Will Win,” where Albanese apologized to the relatives of the victims in the audience.

“You came to celebrate a festival of light and freedom and you left with the violence of hatred. I am deeply and profoundly sorry that we could not protect your loved ones from this evil,” Albanese said to sustained applause in his speech at the event.

Last month, the prime minister said he was “sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation as a whole........

© The Times of Israel