Devastating news.
Violent attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand have left 40 people dead.
The Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has described it as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”.
Ms Ardern said that New Zealand has been placed on its “highest security threat level”.
“It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack. From what we know, it does appear to have been well planned,” she said.
She said that 30 people had been killed at the Al Noor mosque and another ten at the mosque in Linwood.
A man who was in one of the mosques at the time of the shooting said:
“I heard three quick shots then after about ten 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.”
New Zealand’s Police Commissioner said:
“This is an evolving incident and we are working to confirm the facts, however we can confirm there have been a number of fatalities.”
“Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high,” he continued.
It is being reported that three men and one woman have been arrested in relation to these senseless attacks.
