Countries say hello to 2024

(iNews) — The world has begun ringing in the New Year with fireworks and celebrations, led by the Pacific island nation of Kiribati at 10 a.m. GMT.

New Zealand’s capital, Auckland, welcomed 2024 with an impressive fireworks display at the city’s tallest building, the Sky Tower, which lit up in different colours.

Sydney’s famous pryotechnics filled the sky over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, a display viewed annually by around 425 million people worldwide, according to city authorities.

Ringing in the New Year at 3 p.m. GMT was Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Timor-Leste and Palau.

In Seoul, a countdown ceremony took place at Bosingak Pavilion, while in Pyongyang fireworks lit up the night sky at Kim II Sung Square.

This was followed by Taiwan and China at 4 p.m. GMT, while Hong Kong brought in the New Year with a 12 minute firework display along its Victoria Harbour.

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the New Year in Hong Kong on January 1, 2024. (Photo: Peter Parks / AFP)

An hour later, Thailand rang in the new year, with 50,000 fireworks lighting up the sky over Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, followed by India at 6 p.m. GMT, with festivities taking place in several cities including New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

This came as countries across the world began their New Year’s Eve celebrations, with more than 100,000 people expected to attend London’s sold-out display and millions to watch from home.

But many were facing a travel nightmare as 2024 approached. Large queues formed outside St Pancras station on Sunday morning as widespread delays and cancellations affected passengers trying to get home.

Many cities were on high alert this year due to security fears over a heightened terror threat.

In New York, police were on Sunday creating a “buffer zone” around the traditional Times Square party after near-daily protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, the city mayor said.