Australians hold candlelight vigils for victims of Orlando shooting

Australians have joined those around the world to honour the victims of a mass shooting at a gay nightlight in Orlando, the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, the ABC reported on Tuesday.

Some 50 people were killed and another 53 injured after a heavily armed gunman opened fire at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

The Sydney Harbor Bridge was lit up in colors of the rainbow on Monday evening, in a show of solidarity.

Brisbane's Story Bridge was also lit up in similar colors.

Around 400 people attended a candlelight vigil in Sydney where a number of people spoke out in horror about what had occurred.

"It was a hate crime, and it was due to a lack of understanding and the way that I take it is, if we have knowledge within our community and we teach people and educate people on what is OK and isn't OK, things like this wouldn't occur," attendee Erin Young told the ABC.

Iconic buildings around the world such as the Eiffel Tower also lit up in the colour of the American flat to show their support.

Jeff Prystajko, director of communications at Orlando-based non-profit group Come Out With Pride in Florida told the ABC that everyone in the local gay community would be affected by the shooting.

"We are such a tight-knit community. We are all going to know people who knew people who were victims here. For everyone here it was a very tragic and senseless day. Wish we could turn it back," Prystajko said.

The shooting coincides with LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexed) Pride Month in the United States. Endit