Christchurch - A 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder.
Published: Fri 15 Mar 2019, 11:00 PM
Updated: Sat 16 Mar 2019, 8:54 AM
A "right-wing extremist" armed with semi-automatic weapons rampaged through two mosques in the quiet New Zealand city of Christchurch during afternoon prayers Friday, killing 49 worshippers and wounding dozens more.
The attack was immediately dubbed terrorism by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, as she guided a shocked nation on one of its "darkest days."
The attacker live-streamed footage of him during the shooting. A 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder.
He is set to appear at the Christchurch District Court early Saturday. Two other men remain in custody, although their link to the attack is unknown.
The chief suspect allegedly published a racist "manifesto" on social media before the attack, featuring conspiracy theories about Europeans being displaced, and details of two years of preparation and radicalisation leading up to the shootings.
"It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack," said Ardern. "From what we know, it does appear to have been well planned."
Two IEDs (improvised explosive devices) were found in a car and neutralised by the military, police said.
Speaking in Sydney, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the gunman as "an extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist".
His two targets were the Masjid al Noor mosque, where 41 people died, and a second, smaller mosque in the suburb of Linwood, where seven more died. The remaining victim succumbed in hospital.
The dead were said to include women and children. Around 48 people were treated for gunshot wounds at Christchurch Hospital, including young children, with injuries ranging from critical to minor.
The survivors included 17 members of Bangladesh's cricket team, whose game against New Zealand on Saturday has been postponed, and a Palestinian man who fled for his life.
"I heard three quick shots, then after about 10 seconds it started again. It must have been an automatic - no one could pull a trigger that quick," the man who did not wish to be named, told AFP.
"Then people started running out. Some were covered in blood," he said.
New Zealand police described the footage shot by the gunman as "extremely distressing" and warned web users that they could be liable for up to 10 years in jail for sharing such "objectionable content".
The attack has shocked New Zealanders, who are used to seeing around 50 murders a year in the entire country of 4.8 million and pride themselves on living in a secure and welcoming place.
Police, who initially imposed a city-wide lockdown, sent armed officers to a number of scenes and the threat level in the nation was raised from "low" to "high".
In Auckland, 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) away, two unattended bags left near a railway station were detonated by military explosives experts.
Police also attended a property in Dunedin which they believe is linked to the attack and evacuated nearby residents. The southeastern city was named in the suspect's manifesto as the original target for his attack.
The Bangladesh cricket team - which had been in Christchurch for a test match and was about to go into the mosque when the attack happened - all escaped without injury.
"They are safe. But they are mentally shocked. We have asked the team to stay confined in the hotel," he told AFP.
As it happened: New Zealand mosque attacks (All times UAE)
3:55pm
US President Donald Trump condemned as a "horrible massacre" twin mosque attacks in New Zealand that killed at least 49 worshippers and wounded dozens more during Friday prayers.
"My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques. 49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do. God bless all!" Trump wrote on Twitter after the Christchurch attacks.
3:05pm
New Zealand police say their investigation into mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch has extended 360 kilometers (240 miles) to the south where homes have been evacuated around a "location of interest" in Dunedin.
A police statement gave no further detail of how the location might be linked to the attacks in Christchurch that claimed at least 49 lives.
Police say homes around the location in Dunedin have been evacuated as a precaution.
2:50pm
National carrier Air New Zealand has canceled at least 17 flights in and out of Christchurch, saying it couldn't screen customers and their baggage following deadly shootings at two mosques.
The airline said some smaller planes traveling on regional routes were canceled while larger jet planes would continue landing and taking off due to security screening processes already in place.
Typically, passengers on smaller turboprop aircraft traveling to or from Christchurch don't go through security screening and are able to walk right onto the plane.
Air New Zealand said the safety of its customers and employees was paramount and apologized for the inconvenience.
2:45pm
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, condemned the mass shooting during the Friday prayer today at two Christchurch mosques.
"On a peaceful Friday, and in a mosque, a typical peaceful place of worship, we saw the most heinous of religious hate crimes where 49 worshippers were killed. Our condolences to New Zealand, and to the families of the victims, and to all Muslims in my name and on behalf of my country that is dedicating a full year for promoting tolerance in the world. We express our deepest sorrow and call upon the entire world to thoughtfully consider inculcating interfaith tolerance," Mohammed said in his official Twitter account.
2:20pm
France is increasing security measures at mosques and other religious sites after the deadly attack against two mosques in New Zealand.
French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner tweeted Friday that he ordered regional prefects to send patrols and reinforce surveillance of places of worship "as a precaution."
French President Emmanuel Macron, also in a tweet, denounced the "odious crimes against the mosques in New Zealand" and said that France will work with international partners to fight terrorism.
2:15pm
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has expressed solidarity with the people of New Zealand following attacks on worshippers attending prayers at two Christchurch mosques.
Khan, said in a statement Friday that the news is "heartbreaking."
He says: "London stands with the people of Christchurch in the face of this horrific terror attack. London will always celebrate the diversity that some seek to destroy."
Khan sought to reassure Muslim communities in London following the attacks, saying that the Metropolitan Police would be visible outside mosques.
London mosques have been targeted in the past. One man died and several others were injured in 2017 when Darren Osborne drove a van into people leaving evening prayers. Prosecutors say Osborne was motivated by a hatred of Muslims and been radicalized by far-right propaganda he found online.
2:10pm
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he's shocked at the "terrible attacks" that killed dozens of worshippers attending Friday prayers in two mosques of Christchurch.
In a tweet sent on Friday, Sanchez sent condolences to the victims, its families and the government of New Zealand.
"We emphatically condemn violence and the lack of reason of fanatics and extremists who want to break our societies," Sanchez has written.
1:50pm
Germany's foreign minister said the attacks on two mosques in Christchurch are a "brutal crime" that touches people of all religions around the world.
In two tweets, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Friday Germany's sympathies were with the friends and families of the victims of the attack.
He says "the horrific terrorist attack in Christchurch targeted peacefully praying Muslims - if people are murdered solely because of their religion, that is an attack on all of us."
Maas says "we stand at the side of the victims. Stay strong New Zealand!"
1:03pm
The UAE Embassy in New Zealand has affirmed the safety of all Emirati students in New Zealand following the shooting during the Friday prayer.
UAE Ambassador to New Zealand, Ahmed Salim Al Suwaidi said the UAE diplomatic mission has communicated with the Emirati students learning in the country to make sure of their safety and urge them to exercise maximum caution during such exceptional circumstances in implementation of the New Zealand police's instructions under all circumstances.
The ambassador said the embassy has allocated the following phone number: 006448302949, for emergency calls in addition to the following local emergency contact: 111.
He condemned the shooting and reaffirmed UAE's categorical rejection of all forms of terrorism.
12:50pm
Pakistan's prime minister has condemned attacks on two mosques in New Zealand, saying he blames rising Islamophobia.
Imran Khan wrote Friday on Twitter that "terrorism does not have a religion."
He added: "I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11 where Islam & 1.3 bn Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror by a Muslim."
Pakistani officials say there are no Pakistani citizens among the dead.
12:45pm
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted her condolences.
Tsai said: "I'm utterly saddened by the mass shooting in Christchurch, (hash)NewZealand. My thoughts go to the victims & their families."
12:40pm
A top diplomat in the United Arab Emirates is offering his condolences over an attack on mosques in New Zealand.
Anwar Gargash, the UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs, tweeted "heartfelt condolences" to New Zealand on Friday.
Gargash wrote: "Our collective work against violence & hate must continue with renewed vigor. Our thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims."
12:35pm
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the attacks on mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch calling it the "latest example of rising racism and Islamophobia."
Tweeting in English and Turkish on Friday, Erdogan said: "On behalf of my country, I offer my condolences to the Islamic world and the people of New Zealand, who have been targeted by this deplorable act."
He also wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.
Turkey's private NTV news channel quoted Turkish embassy officials as saying there are no Turkish citizens among the dead.
12:20pm
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said a man is charged with murder in New Zealand attacks and will appear in court Saturday.
11:35am
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the national security threat level has been lifted from low to high after deadly shootings at two mosques.
The security threat level is now at the second-highest level. She said authorities had no reason to believe there were more suspects, but "we are not assuming that at this stage."
A man who claimed responsibility for the shootings described anti-immigrant views in a manifesto.
Ardern said, "These are people who I would describe as having militant views, that have absolutely no place in New Zealand."
10:35am
Forty people were killed and more than 20 seriously wounded in mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch on, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
Ardern said New Zealand had been placed on its highest security threat level. She said four people in police custody held militant views, but had not been on any police watchlists.
10:10am
The gunman who killed numerous worshippers in a mosque was a right-wing militant with Australian citizenship, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
Morrison declined to provide further details, saying the investigation was being led by New Zealand authorities.
9:30am
Indonesia's foreign minister says six Indonesians were at the Al Noor Mosque in New Zealand when a shooting occurred and three of them escaped.
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, "We are looking for three other Indonesian citizens."
The foreign ministry says there are 330 Indonesian citizens in Christchurch, 130 of them students.
It said it strongly condemns the attack. "The government and the people of Indonesia convey deep condolences to the victims and their families."
9:25am
New Zealand police say they're not aware of other suspects beyond the four who have been arrested after two mosque shootings but they can't be certain.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush did not elaborate on the suspects who are in custody.
9:00am
New Zealand police say they have taken into custody three men and one woman over the shootings at two mosques in Christchurch.
New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said police have defused a number of improvised explosive devices found on vehicles after the mosque shootings.
A man who claimed responsibility for the shootings left a 74-page anti-immigrant manifesto in which he explained who he was and his reasoning for his actions. He said he considered it a terrorist attack.
8:45am
New Zealand police lifted a lockdown put in place after deadly armed assaults on two Christchurch mosques, allowing frantic parents to pick up their children.
"Police can now confirm the lock down of schools throughout Christchurch has been lifted," New Zealand Police said in a statement.
8:40am
New Zealand police warned against sharing footage relating to a deadly shooting in Christchurch, after a video online showed a gunman filming himself firing at worshippers inside a mosque.
"Police are aware there is extremely distressing footage relating to the incident in Christchurch circulating online," New Zealand police said in a Twitter post.
"We would strongly urge that the link not be shared. We are working to have any footage removed."
8:30am
New Zealand and Bangladesh on Friday cancelled the third cricket Test after multiple people were killed in gun attacks on mosques in Christchurch, including one that was attended by the Bangladeshi team.
"A joint decision between NZC and the @BCBtigers has been made to cancel the Hagley Oval Test," the New Zealand team tweeted, adding that all players and officials were safe.
The third and final Test was scheduled to start on Saturday at Christchurch's Hagley Oval. New Zealand won the first two games in the series.
Bangladeshi players and team staff arrived at the city's Masjid al Noor for Friday prayers as a shooting unfolded and were warned not to go inside.
8:25am
New Zealand media reported that between nine and 27 people were killed, but the death toll could not be confirmed. Police said multiple fatalities had occurred at two mosques, but it was unclear how many attackers were involved.
7:50am
Police have warned people to avoid mosques anywhere in New Zealand following two shootings with multiple fatalities at two mosques in Christchurch.
New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said anyone thinking of going to a mosque should stay put and close their doors.
A man who lives near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch said many people were dead there. A witness to a second shooting told New Zealand media he saw two wounded people being transported by rescuers afterward.
7:20am
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says following fatal shootings at two mosques in Christchurch it is "one of New Zealand's darkest days."
Ardern said at a Friday afternoon news conference, "what has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence."
She said while many people affected may be migrants or refugees "they have chosen to make New Zealand their home and it is their home. They are us. The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not."
7:02am
Police warn worshippers not to visit mosques anywhere in New Zealand. Police said there were multiple fatalities and one person was in custody, but no details were immediately available.
6:50am
New Zealand media say a shooting has occurred in a second mosque in the city of Christchurch.
No details were immediately available.
Earlier Friday afternoon, police had urged people to stay indoors as authorities responded to a shooting at the Masjid Al Noor mosque.
6:48am
The Bangladesh cricket team is in Christchurch to play New Zealand in a third cricket test starting on Saturday.
Mario Villavarayen, strength and conditioning coach of the Bangladesh cricket team said the team was close to where the shooting occurred, but was safe.
He said the players were shaken up but fine.
6:45am
Media said shots had been fired near a mosque and a witness told broadcaster One News that he had seen three people lying on the ground, bleeding outside the building.
Radio New Zealand quoted a witness inside the mosque saying he heard shots fired and at least four people were lying on the ground and "there was blood everywhere".
6:43am
People in centre of the city should stay indoors, police said. All Christchurch schools and council buildings have been placed into lockdown. Police did not immediately comment on whether the incident took place in the mosque or nearby. There is no official confirmation on casualties.
"Horrified to hear of Christchurch mosque shootings. There is never a justification for that sort of hatred," said Amy Adams, a member of parliament from Christchurch.
6:40am
A witness says many people have been killed in a mass shooting at a mosque in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.
Police have not described the scale of the Friday shooting but urged people in central Christchurch to stay indoors.
Witness Len Peneha says he saw a man dressed in black enter the Masjid Al Noor mosque and then heard dozens of shots, followed by people running from the mosque in terror.
He says he also saw the gunman flee before emergency services arrived
Peneha says he went into the mosque to try and help: "I saw dead people everywhere."
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