Home National “One of New Zealand’s darkest days”- 49 people die in mosque shootings

“One of New Zealand’s darkest days”- 49 people die in mosque shootings

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A police officer responds following shooting at Linwood in Christchurch, New Zealand, March 15, 2019, in this still image obtained from a social media video. Video obtained by Reuters/ via REUTERS

Forty nine people have died and four people have been taken into custody following shootings at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.

At around 1:40pm local time on Friday, March 15, a gunman entered the Masjid Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and opened fire. Nearby Linwood Mosque was also then targetted.

It has been reported multiple improvised explosive devices located on vehicles have been found and made safe.

Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, said 30 people had been killed at the Masjid Al Noor Mosque and 10 at the Linwood Avenue Mosque. A further 20 people were seriously injured in what she said “can only be described as a terrorist attack.”

“This is one of New Zealand’s darkest days,” said Ms. Ardern. “There is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence.”

One person has been charged with murder and two others are in custody as authorities determine whether and how they were involved.