A father saved the life of his two-year-old son by throwing himself in front of the bullets during the shooting attack at Linwood mosque in Christchurch, it has been revealed.

Zulfirman Syah remains in intensive care after being badly hurt while covering his child to protect him from the vicious and indiscriminate attack on unarmed worshippers during Friday prayers.

Mr Syah’s American wife, Alta Marie, said their son, Averroes, is now recovering from minor injuries in hospital, but her husband was hit in several different places.

“My husband shielded our son during the attack at Linwood Islamic Centre, which caused him to receive most of the bullets and much more complex injuries than our son,” she said on Facebook.

“He is in stable condition following the extensive exploratory and reconstructive surgery he had earlier today.

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

“While he is still in the intensive care unit at this stage, he will be moved to the general ward whenever it is deemed appropriate - likely in the next day or so.”

The two-year-old boy “sustained minor injuries and had surgery this morning to extract some shrapnel”, his mother added.

“He is recovering nicely and has been cheerful while keeping the staff on the children’s ward entertained with his talkative and energetic nature.”

Zulfirman Syah, his son Averroes and his wife Alta Marie (GoFundMe / Jodi Puhalla)

Mr Syah and his family moved from Indonesia to New Zealand only two months ago. He was described by Jodi Puhalla, a friend of the couple, as “a talented, hardworking artist”.

Ms Puhalla, who has set up a fundraising page for the family to help with their medical expenses, said Alta Marie was cooking in the kitchen of their new home when she received a call from her husband.

It wasn’t clear until his second call, minutes later, that they had been hurt in the attack at the mosque.

The death toll in the Christchurch massacre has risen to 50 after a body was discovered at the Al Noor mosque, New Zealand police commissioner Mike Bush said on Sunday.

The number of people injured has also risen to 50, he added. Police said 11 of the wounded were in a critical condition.

Some of the victims were migrants from countries such as Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Somalia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Many of those killed have been named by family members over the past 24 hours, while details of those who survived the attack have also emerged.

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

Abdul Aziz was hailed a hero for preventing more deaths by chasing the gunman away from Linwood mosque. The 48-year-old father told his children to stay inside as he picked up a credit card machine and ran outside to throw it at the attacker.

A fund set up to help victims’ families and those who suffered injuries has raised over NZ$4.3m (around £2.2m).