Countries around the world have marked the New Year, with festivities across Asia.In Japan, people released balloons by Tokyo Tower, while South Koreans celebrated in Paju with fireworks and traditional bell-ringing ceremonies.
Revellers in Australia and New Zealand were among the first to usher in 2016.
Crowds counted down at Auckland’s Sky Tower in New Zealand, with a laser show and fireworks display. In Australia, fireworks later lit up Sydney harbour.
In one of the more innovative celebrations, four divers equipped with musical instruments and breathing apparatus performed an underwater “concert” in a fish tank in Yantai, east China.
When 2016 hits Europe, approximately one million people countdown at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany’s capital, Berlin.
Despite security fears across the continent, many major public events were held, though with heightened security restrictions.
In Madrid, only 25,000 people were allowed into the Puerta del Sol Square. More than 100,000 people watched the Mayor of London’s fireworks show, a ticketed event.
Over in Sierra Leone, the declared end of Ebola marked a return to festivities, after Freetown, the capital, was left deserted a year ago due to the disease’s outbreak.
As 2016 finally reaches the Americas, up to a million people converged on Times Square in New York, amid tight security, to watch the famous ball descend.
On Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, crowds not only mark the New Year — they also fete the 100th anniversary of Samba music, and the upcoming summer Olympics. (BBC)