A police officer responds following shooting at Linwood in Christchurch

At least 49 people have been killed and dozens more are seriously injured after shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Witnesses described seeing bodies and “blood everywhere” following the attack at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch on Friday afternoon.

Police have charged an Australian citizen, Brenton Tarrant with murder,

Handcuffed and wearing a white prison suit, the 28-year-old smirked as he appeared Christchurch District Court but did not speak. His court-appointed lawyer made no application for bail or name suppression.

He was likely to face further charges, police said. Another three people were arrested in connection with the attack. One was later released, but two remain detained at the time of publication.

Tarrant ppeared to have live-streamed the attack and outlined his anti-immigrant motives in a manifesto posted online.

A search of a property in Dunedin, around 200 miles to the south, was carried out by police.

At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack Show all 17 1 /17 At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack Paramedics assist a man wounded in the shootings EPA At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack Bloodied bandages lie on the road following the shootings EPA At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack Police officers console a man at the scene of the shootings AP At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks at a press conference following the shootings Getty At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack Masjid Al Noor mosque on Deans Avenue in Christchurch, the scene of the first shooting EPA At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack A tribute left near the Linwood Masjid mosque. The letter reads: thinking of everyone on this most tragic of days. We are neighbours & community here in Linwood & our hearts are with you Getty At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack Armed police stand at the scene of the attack AFP/Getty At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack A forensic official works at the scene AFP/Getty At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack A car damaged in the shooting AFP/Getty At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack Armed police stand at the scene of the attack Getty At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack A survivor stands outside Christchurch hospital Getty At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack Emergency responders help a wounded man at the scene of the shooting at a mosque in Christchurch AP At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack People wait near the scene of the shootings AP At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack Paramedics help a wounded man at the scene of the shooting at a mosque in Christchurch AP At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack Members of the Armed Offenders Squad push back members of the public at the scene EPA At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack Ambulances at the scene of the shootings AP At least 49 killed in New Zealand terror attack New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks at a press conference following the shootings Getty

Videos and documents posted online appear to suggest that the shooter live-streamed his attack on Facebook and prepared an anti-immigrant “manifesto” prior to the shooting.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern said New Zealand's gun laws would be changed as a result of the attack. She later visited refugees in the city.

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