(VOVworld) – People across the world welcomed the New Year 2016 as security is tightened. An estimated 1.6 million people flooded into central Sydney, around the Sydney harbor and Opera House, to watch Australia’s largest New Year's Eve fireworks display.

The 9.00pm New Year's Eve Fireworks on Sydney Harbour at Mrs Macquarie's Point in Sydney on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015

Just a few hours prior to New Year’s Eve, a huge fire broke out at Address Hotel in Dubai which is very close to the world’s highest tower Burj Khalifa, the venue of fireworks display to welcome the New Year.

In Paris, 100,000 policemen have been deployed to ensure security during New Year’s celebrations while fireworks display at Champs Elysees Boulevard was canceled.

Many festive activities and fireworks display to welcome the New Year were canceled in Brussels, the headquarters of NATO and the European Union. Meanwhile, 3000 police officers were deployed in central London to ensure security there.

In Russia, Red Square, Russian people’s favorite spot to welcome the New Year, was closed for the first time during New Year celebrations. In Italy, fireworks were forbidden nationwide and in Spain, the number of people gathering at Puerta del Sol was limited to under 25,000.

In Asia, fireworks displays in Beijing, Hong Kong, China, and Singapore, attracted thousands of people. In Africa, various activities are taking place in Egypt to get rid of bad lucks in the old year and promote tourism. Cairo hosted numerous events to welcome the 2016 New Year in front of its pyramids with the participation of many ambassadors, artists, and scholars.