Met with a scene of horror at Bondi beach, strangers embraced, shed tears and gathered in silence

Anthony Albanese’s handful of flowers was soon joined by a sea of bouquets, some handed out free by local stores, and a growing crowd, silently sitting or standing on the hill. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

Thousands of Australians’ abandoned belongings were strewn across Bondi beach as the sun rose on Monday, left behind just 10 hours earlier in the rush to escape the slaughter.

Within hours, locals had gathered the bags, towels and surfboards and laid them at the top of the beach for survivors, friends and family to collect as they returned.