CHRISTCHURCH: At least 49 people have been died and numerous others injured in a mass shooting at two mosques in New Zealand’s city of Christchurch.
Police have declared an emergency in the area after the attacks at Masjid Al Noor mosque in Deans Avenue and at a mosque in the Linwood of Christchurch took place.
Witnesses told local media they ran for their lives and saw people bleeding on the ground outside the Al Noor mosque.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in a news conference, told that at least 20 people were in a serious condition after the “terrorist” attack.
In her conference, she termed the horrific incident as ‘one of New Zealand’s darkest days’.
All schools, churches and government offices across the city have been shut down. Emergency has been enforced in all hospital of the city and all mosques in Christchurch have been emptied amid tense conditions.
NZ Police Arrest Four Persons
As per latest reports, police have taken four persons in their custody.
Nabbed persons include three men and one woman, said NZ police.
One of the apprehended men involved in the mass shooting was wearing a military uniform, police confirmed.
Bangladeshi Cricketers Escape Narrowly
Bangladeshi cricket team, who is in Christchurch for three-match test series against hosts New Zealand, were at the mosque for Friday prayers when the attack occurred.
Bangladesh’s cricket team has been shifted to a secure spot, Christchurch police stated.
In a Twitter message, the Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal revealed that the entire team was safe and sound.
He tweeted, “Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers”.
Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers #christchurchMosqueAttack
— Tamim Iqbal Khan (@TamimOfficial28) March 15, 2019
Another Bangladeshi cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim took to Twitter to confirm that the entire team was secure from the attack of the armed assailants.
He tweeted, “Alhamdulillah Allah save us today while shooting in Christchurch in the mosque…we r extremely lucky…never want to see this things happen again….pray for us”
Alhamdulillah Allah save us today while shooting in Christchurch in the mosque…we r extremely lucky…never want to see this things happen again….pray for us
— Mushfiqur Rahim (@mushfiqur15) March 15, 2019
NZ Prime Minister Terms Incident ‘Extraordinary Act Of Unprecedented Violence’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that such acts have no place in the country.
She tweeted, “What has happened in Christchurch is an extraordinary act of unprecedented violence. It has no place in New Zealand. Many of those affected will be members of our migrant communities – New Zealand is their home – they are us”.
What has happened in Christchurch is an extraordinary act of unprecedented violence. It has no place in New Zealand. Many of those affected will be members of our migrant communities – New Zealand is their home – they are us.
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) March 15, 2019
She has urged the citizens to stay inside their homes and follow instructions of the city police. Prime Minister also stated that the Police Commissioner Mike Bush will make a public statement at 5 pm (NZT).
The person who has committed this violent act has no place here. To those in Christchurch; I encourage you to stay inside and follow the instructions of @nzpolice. The Police Commissioner will be making a public statement at 5pm. I will update everyone again later this evening.
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) March 15, 2019
(More details to follow.)
