Eighty-eight Australians died in the 2002 Bali bombings. That was the highest number from any country.

The victims were remembered on Wednesday at a ceremony in Sydney, attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and bereaved families.

Albanese said, "What happened on that fateful night is beyond imagining."

He added, "Twenty years on, the ache does not dim... So many hearts are still tethered to that cruel night."

Albanese thanked Indonesians who took part in the rescue effort, saying, "Indonesian people have reached out to generations of Australians as friends and neighbors. They felt our great pain that night, and we felt theirs."

He vowed to strengthen Australia's partnership with Indonesia in fighting terrorism.

Public institutions across Australia have been asked to lower flags to half-mast on Wednesday in honor of the victims.