Many people were reported dead and injured in mass shootings at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch during afternoon prayers on Friday, local media and a witness said.
There have been two shooting incidents – at the Masjid Al Noor Mosque next to Hagley Park, and at the Linwood Masjid Mosque in the suburb of Linwood in Christchurch, New Zealand. About 300 people were inside the mosque for afternoon prayers.
Police said there were multiple fatalities and one person was in custody, but no details were immediately available.
Local media reported at least six people were dead, and the South Island city was placed in lockdown as police hunted for an “active shooter.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the attacks as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”.
On Friday at 3:45 om local media reports about a second attack and mass shooting in a Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Earlier Friday afternoon, police had urged people to stay indoors as authorities responded to a shooting at the Masjid Al Noor mosque.
Witnesses report mass casualties inside the mosque and one witness said he saw the gunman flee.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said in a statement that “a serious and evolving situation is occurring in Christchurch with an active shooter. Bush also recommended that residents across the city remain off the streets and indoors.
“Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high,” Bush said in the statement.
A witness said 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, as media reported.
At 1.40pm a gunman wielding an automatic rifle opened fire on a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, approximately ten minutes after approximately 300 people began afternoon prayers.
Witnesses say, there is blood everywhere.
The killers’ justification was to take revenge against terror attacks in Europe by Islamic killers. One person was arrested by New Zealand police so far.
