Facebook has said it removed 1.5 million videos showing the New Zealand mosque attacks in the first 24 hours following the mass shootings.

The social media giant said 1.2 million of the videos – showing footage filmed by the suspected gunman on a body-camera – were blocked as users attempted to upload.

The company made clear it had also been removing any edited versions that do not show graphic content, as well as “any praise or support for the crime” it finds on its platforms.

In a statement, Mia Garlick, spokesperson for Facebook New Zealand, said her company continues to “work around the clock to remove violating content from our site, using a combination of technology and people”.

“In the first 24 hours we removed 1.5 million videos of the attack globally, of which over 1.2 million were blocked at upload.”

New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Show all 11 1 /11 New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Zakaria Bhuiyan People gather hoping to find out information about Zakaria Bhuiyan who is still missing after the mosques shootings in Christchurch. David Moir/AFP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Mucad Ibrahim Three-year-old Mucad Ibrahim, the youngest known victim of the mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March 2019. Abdi Ibrahim via AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Nadeem Rasheed Nadeem Rasheed, brother of Pakistani Naeem Rashid who died alongside his son Talha Naeem, 21, who were killed in shooting at a Mosque in Christchurch, at their home town in Abbottabad, EPA New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Omar Nabi Omar Nabi speaks to the media about losing his father Haji Daoud Nabi, 71, in the mosque attack REUTERS New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Ash Mohammed Ash Mohammed, right, talks to a police officer about his father and two brothers who are missing near the Masjid Al Noor mosque AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Akhtar Khokhur Akhtar Khokhur, 58, shows a picture of her missing husband Mehaboobbhai Khokhar, 65. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Wasseim Alsati A note is seen on a window of a door at the family home of Wasseim Alsati in Christchurch on 17 March 2019. AFP/Getty Images New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Haroon Mahmood Relatives offer condolences to nephew (centre) of Haroon Mahmood, a Pakistani citizen who was killed in Christchurch mosque shootings. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Farid Ahmed Farid Ahmed (pictured) survived the Al Noor mosque shootings but his wife Husne was killed. AFP/Getty Images New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Syed Areeb Ahmed A relative shows a picture of Syed Areeb Ahmed, a Pakistani citizen who was killed the Christchurch mosque shooting. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Naeem Rashid A relative looks at a picture on a mobile phone of Pakistani nationals Naeem Rashid and his son Talha Naeem (right) who died in the Christchurch shootings. AFP/Getty Images

She added: “Out of respect for the people affected by this tragedy and the concerns of local authorities, we’re also removing all edited versions of the video that do not show graphic content.”

The suspected gunman was able to live-stream the attacks on Facebook for 17 minutes using an app designed for extreme sports enthusiasts, with copies still being shared on social media hours later.

Facebook and Twitter, as well as YouTube owner Google, were all criticised for allowing the footage to spread rapidly across their platforms in the hours after the mass shootings.

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has said she wants to discuss live streaming with Facebook.

Sajid Javid criticised the social media companies for failing to do enough to stop the promotion of violent extremism. “Take some ownership. Enough is enough.”

People leave flowers and tributes at the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch on Sunday (Getty)

On Saturday, Sky New Zealand said it had removed Sky News Australia from its platform after segments of the shooter’s video was broadcast by the Australian channel.

The independent New Zealand broadcaster said it pulled the Australian 24-hour news channel from its live feed because it could not be sure the “distressing” footage would not continue to appear.