Forty-nine people have been killed and four people are in custody after attackers opened fire during Friday prayers at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.
– At least 41 people were killed at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch while at least seven people died inside the suburban Linwood Masjid Mosque, and one person died in hospital. In all, a total of 49 people were killed.
– At least 20 others have been seriously injured.
– A male in his late 20s has been charged with murder and is due to appear at a Christchurch court on Saturday morning.
– Two men and one woman are also in custody over the attacks. Police believe one of the arrested may have had nothing to do with the incident and are working to understand what the involvement of the other two people may be.
– New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the national security threat level has been lifted from low to high, adding the shootings appeared to have been a well-planned “terrorist attack”. She described it as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”.
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
– One of the suspected attackers – Brenton Tarrant – appears to have live-streamed the attack on Facebook. Police have urged the public not to share the “extremely distressing” material online.
– The 28-year-old Australian described his anti-immigrant motives in a manifesto.
– Police said they are not actively looking for any identified suspects but said it would be “wrong to assume that there is no-one else”.
– Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said one of those arrested was an Australian citizen and described the suspected attacker as an “extremist right-wing violent terrorist”.
Out of respect and in condolence for all those killed in the terrorist attack in New Zealand, I have asked for flags to be flown at half-mast. pic.twitter.com/0qgIrmdgoH
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) March 15, 2019
– Two improvised explosive devices were found on a vehicle after the shootings. One has been defused and the second is in the process of being disabled.
– All schools in Christchurch were put on lockdown and mosques told to shut their doors.
