Anzac Day abroad: Security tightened amid terror fears

  • 25/04/2017

Anzac Day commemorations have begun around the world, with many Dawn Services across New Zealand.

In Gallipoli, security personnel are outnumbering Anzac Day pilgrims at this year's Dawn Service, with at least 2000 guards covering no more than 500 visitors.

"Tourism numbers are significantly down across the board and Gallipoli is not immune to that," tour guide Mat McLachlan told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"This will further devastate local businesses including one hotel we know which has seen a 90 percent drop in bookings."

It's a huge decline compared to the 2015 centenary commemoration which saw more than 10,000 people attend the service on the Turkish peninsula.

A spate of terror attacks in Istanbul and a number of terror threats against Australia recently are to blame for the fall in numbers.

New Zealand Justice Minister Amy Adams is at Gallipoli, where she joined Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop at an international service on Monday.

Hundreds of thousands in Australia have packed around war memorials across the country for Anzac services, where security is stronger than ever. 

With Australia's current national terrorism threat level as 'probable', it's a reminder that war is still raging in places around the world.

Sydney has celebrated the 90th anniversary of its first Dawn Service. In Melbourne about 100,000 people were expected at its Shrine of Remembrance.

Australia's Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and Opposition leader Bill Shorten both attended a service in Papua New Guinea.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made an unannounced visit to Australian soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It has been an honour to meet the servicemen and women in the Middle East, to thank the Anzacs of today for their service," Mr Turnbull tweeted.

Newshub.