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New Zealand mosques: Several dead after shootings in Christchurch Christchurch mosque attacks: Several dead after New Zealand shootings
(about 1 hour later)
There are "multiple fatalities" after shootings at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, police in New Zealand have confirmed. There are multiple fatalities after shootings at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, police in New Zealand have said.
Three men and one woman are in custody, police commissioner Mike Bush told a news conference. New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described this as one of the country's "darkest days".
Witnesses told local media they ran for their lives, and saw people bleeding on the ground outside the Al Noor mosque. Three men and one woman are in custody, police commissioner Mike Bush said, but warned more suspects may be at large.
Authorities advised all mosques to shut down until further notice. All Christchurch schools are on lockdown. Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison said one of those arrested was an Australian citizen.
In a statement to the nation, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said details were not yet clear, "but I can tell you now - this will be one of New Zealand's darkest days". He described the suspected attacker as an "extremist right-wing violent terrorist".
Witnesses told local media they ran for their lives and saw people bleeding on the ground outside the Al Noor mosque.
Police emphasise the situation is still evolving and have not said how many people have been killed. They did confirm "a number of IEDs (explosive devices) attached to vehicles that we also stopped".
Authorities have advised all mosques in the city to shut down until further notice, saying this was an unprecedented act of violence.
Mohan Ibrahim, who was in the area of the Al Noor mosque, told the New Zealand Herald: "At first we thought it was an electric shock but then all these people started running.Mohan Ibrahim, who was in the area of the Al Noor mosque, told the New Zealand Herald: "At first we thought it was an electric shock but then all these people started running.
"I still have friends inside."I still have friends inside.
"I have been calling my friends but there are many I haven't heard from. I am scared for my friends lives." "I have been calling my friends but there are many I haven't heard from. I am scared for my friends' lives."
It is not yet known how many shooters there were, but the Herald reports that one gunman is believed to be an Australian who has written a manifesto outlining his intentions. In it, he espouses far-right ideology and anti-immigrant ideology. It is not yet known how many shooters there were, but the Herald reports that one gunman is believed to be an Australian who has written a manifesto outlining his intentions. In it, he espouses far-right ideology and anti-immigrant ideology.
Unverified footage purportedly taken by the shooter has emerged, suggesting he filmed as he shot victims. Police called on the public not to share the "extremely distressing" material online. Footage taken by one shooter has emerged, which he appears to have live-streamed as he shot victims in a mosque. Police called on the public not to share the "extremely distressing" material online.
Live coverage of the New Zealand mosque shooting Facebook said it had removed the shooter's Facebook and Instagram accounts as well as any support voiced for that crime.
What happened at the mosques?What happened at the mosques?
The sequence of events remains unclear and has mostly come via eyewitness reports to local media.The sequence of events remains unclear and has mostly come via eyewitness reports to local media.
Witnesses at the Al Noor mosque, located in central Christchurch along Deans Avenue, facing Hagley Park, reported seeing people bleeding on the ground outside the building. The first report of an attack came from the Al Noor mosque, located in central Christchurch along Deans Avenue, facing Hagley Park. Witnesses there reported seeing people bleeding on the ground outside the building.
One unnamed survivor told TV New Zealand he saw a gunman shoot a man directly in the chest. He estimated that the shooting lasted for 20 minutes and that up to 60 people may have been injured. One unnamed survivor told TV New Zealand he saw a gunman shoot a man directly in the chest.
The gunman reportedly targeted the men's prayer room in the mosque, then moved to the women's room.The gunman reportedly targeted the men's prayer room in the mosque, then moved to the women's room.
"What I did was basically just waiting and praying, God please, let this guy run out of bullets," the witness said."What I did was basically just waiting and praying, God please, let this guy run out of bullets," the witness said.
"He came to this side, he shot this side, he went to another room and went to the ladies' section and shot them. I just heard one of the ladies has died.""He came to this side, he shot this side, he went to another room and went to the ladies' section and shot them. I just heard one of the ladies has died."
A Palestinian man who did not wish to be named told AFP news agency he saw a man shot in the head, and heard rapid gunfire. A Palestinian man, who did not wish to be named, told AFP news agency he saw a man shot in the head, and heard rapid gunfire.
"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."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.
"Then people started running out. Some were covered in blood.""Then people started running out. Some were covered in blood."
A second mosque in the suburb of Linwood has also been evacuated, and the police commissioner said "multiple fatalities" were recorded at two locations. There are far fewer details emerging from there, however.A second mosque in the suburb of Linwood has also been evacuated, and the police commissioner said "multiple fatalities" were recorded at two locations. There are far fewer details emerging from there, however.
Armed police have also been seen at Papanui High School in Christchurch, which has been cordoned off.
How are the authorities responding?How are the authorities responding?
Multiple casualties have been brought to Christchurch Hospital, where there is a heavy police presence.
A spokeswoman said Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) has activated its mass casualty plan, according to New Zealand news site Stuff.co.nz.A spokeswoman said Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) has activated its mass casualty plan, according to New Zealand news site Stuff.co.nz.
The plan includes clearing emergency room space for casualties. The spokeswoman did not comment on how many patients were expected. Police earlier cleared Cathedral Square, where thousands of children had been holding a rally for action on climate change.
Police earlier cleared Cathedral Square, where thousands of children were holding a rally for action on climate change.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said: "Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high.Police Commissioner Mike Bush said: "Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high.
"Police recommend that residents across Christchurch remain off the streets and indoors until further notice.""Police recommend that residents across Christchurch remain off the streets and indoors until further notice."
Parents have been told not to go to schools to collect their children. New Zealand Police tweeted: "There is no timeframe at this stage for when the lockdown will be lifted. The children are being taken care of by schools." A lockdown on all schools in Christchurch has now been lifted, and parents are being told they can collect their children.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted: "I'm horrified by the reports I'm following of the serious shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand. The situation is still unfolding but our thoughts and prayers are with our Kiwi cousins."Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted: "I'm horrified by the reports I'm following of the serious shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand. The situation is still unfolding but our thoughts and prayers are with our Kiwi cousins."
Who has been caught up in the attack?Who has been caught up in the attack?
As well as the numerous witness reports of casualties, the Bangladesh national cricket team appear to have narrowly escaped the shooting.As well as the numerous witness reports of casualties, the Bangladesh national cricket team appear to have narrowly escaped the shooting.
A reporter following the team, who were due to play New Zealand in a now-cancelled test match on Saturday, tweeted that the team had "escaped from a mosque near Hagley Park where there were active shooters".A reporter following the team, who were due to play New Zealand in a now-cancelled test match on Saturday, tweeted that the team had "escaped from a mosque near Hagley Park where there were active shooters".
Player Tamim Iqbal tweeted that the "entire team got saved from active shooters".Player Tamim Iqbal tweeted that the "entire team got saved from active shooters".
Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus said most of the team had gone to mosque by bus and were about to go inside when the incident took place.Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus said most of the team had gone to mosque by bus and were about to go inside when the incident took place.
"They are safe. But they are mentally shocked. We have asked the team to stay confined in the hotel," he told the AFP news agency."They are safe. But they are mentally shocked. We have asked the team to stay confined in the hotel," he told the AFP news agency.
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