BBC Breakfast hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt addressed the tragic Bondi beach shooting on Thursday's programme, describing it as an "awful, awful incident" as they reported on the funeral of its youngest victim.
Funeral for Youngest Victim Held in Sydney
The broadcast featured a segment on the funeral of ten-year-old Matilda, one of fifteen people killed when two gunmen opened fire on Sunday. The attack occurred at an event on Bondi beach marking the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Presenter Charlie Stayt informed viewers of the devastating details. "Ten-year-old Matilda was among 15 people who were shot dead," he stated, adding that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to introduce tougher laws to tackle anti-Semitism in the wake of the tragedy.
Family's Heartbreak and Community Mourning
The programme switched to Sydney correspondent Phil Mercer, who reported that hundreds of mourners attended Matilda's funeral. He revealed that Matilda's family had moved from Ukraine to start a new life in Australia, where she was born.
In a heartbreaking interview, Matilda's aunt, Lina Chernykh, spoke of the family's unimaginable grief. "I see my brother and his partner, absolutely devastated, absolutely. Like I look on their faces, I don't know if they will be ever happy again," she said. "I hope it's maybe she is an angel now, maybe she sent some good vibes to the world."
Shock Over Child's Death and Legal Aftermath
Speaking to correspondent Katie Watson in Australia, host Naga Munchetty reflected on the scene. "Katie, just seeing where you are and seeing people pay tribute to those victims of this awful, awful incident and people will be shocked a 10-year-old girl being buried today," she said.
Katie Watson described the ceremony for Matilda, remembered as a "lively, bubbly young girl" who was protective of her younger sister. She emphasised how the whole community had come together in grief following the shooting that left fifteen dead.
Authorities have identified the two gunmen as a father and son. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead at the scene, while his son Naveed, 24, now faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder.
BBC Breakfast airs on BBC One daily from 6am.
