Gunmen kill up to 30 people at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand
Ambulance staff tend to a man from outside a mosque in central Christchurch. Photo / AP
CHRISTCHURCH, Mar 15, 2019, NZ Herald. Gunmen have opened fire at mosques in Christchurch, with reports of up to 30 people killed. Four people are in custody – three men and one woman, reported the New Zealand Herald.
The Police Commissioner Mike Bush said “there have been some absolute acts of bravery” in the arrests of the four attackers.
A number of IEDs that were attached to vehicles in Christchurch have been defused by the Defence Force.
Bush said there were multiple casualties – a “significant” amount.
“This is absolutely tragic. So many people are affected.
“We don’t have the identities of those who have died yet because those places are in lockdown.”
He said he would not assume there aren’t other attackers.
The lock down of schools throughout Christchurch was lifted at 5.50pm.
When asked if it was true that a person had been arrested wearing wired explosives, Bush said that person had been made safe.
“We’re still working through that but we believe there was a claim but that person has been made safe.”
Bush said he was aware that footage of the Al Noor Mosque shooting was on social media and police were doing everything they could to get it removed.
“It shouldn’t be in the public domain.”
Facebook Australia-New Zealand policy director Mia Garlick said the videos have been taken down.
“New Zealand Police alerted us to a video on Facebook shortly after the livestream commenced and we quickly removed both the shooter’s Facebook and Instagram accounts and the video.”
He said police did not have conclusive information about the motivation behind the shootings.
He would not call it a terrorist attack but said it did not get any more serious in this country.
“We are currently dealing with an unprecedented situation in New Zealand. It’s very grave, it’s very serious.”
One of NZ’s darkest days
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called it “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”.
A body has been seen lying near Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and a second gunman has been seen near Linwood Masjid mosque.
One of the gunmen broadcast live as he shot victims.
One of the gunmen is believed to be an Australian who has written a manifesto declaring his intentions.
In it, he says “it is a terrorist attack.”
Ardern described the event as “extreme and unprecedented violence”.
She will be flying to Wellington where she will speak with agents as soon as she lands.
“I’m not currently in a position to confirm the number of deaths or injuries,” Ardern said.
“This is and will be one of New Zealand’s darkest days.”
Ardern looked to be struggling to keep her emotions in check as she spoke.
Bush said Police are pouring resources into the Christchurch area.
He said they were also setting up a facility so that people could get phone in and get more information about their loved ones as a priority.
Bush said Defence Force aircrafts in Wellington were ready to fly more resources into the area.
“I want to assure the public we are doing everything we can to make sure there is no more harm to their communities.”
There was no indication there were other shooters at large.
The multiple fatalities were at two locations – a mosque at Deans Ave and one at Linwood Ave.
St John said there have been multiple fatalities.
People suffered injuries ranging from minor through to critical gun shot wounds.
A number of helicopter and road ambulances are on standby to provide support, including transporting patients to other ICUs around the country.
St John has deployed resources from throughout the country to provide cover for the next few days.
A Christchurch Star reporter saw a dead body lying close at Palazzo Lane near Al Noor Mosque.
The body has been covered with clothing.
A witness has seen a child lying in the middle of Deans Ave and another man has told the Herald his relative was shot inside the mosque.
It is understood the shooting at the mosque lasted six minutes and that the shooter may have returned to his car to retrieve more ammunition before opening fire again.
A large cordon has blocked off Strickland St around 3km from the Hagley mosque shooting.
A local man said a white van is at the centre of police focus. They believe a bomb is suspected to be inside.
The police bomb disposal unit is at the scene.
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