At least 6 dead in NZ mosque shootings

CHRISTCHURCH: Multiple casualties are feared in a “critical incident” early Friday as gunshots were heard near a mosque in New Zealand’s east-coast city, international media reported, with the Bangladeshi cricket team narrowly escaping danger.

Local media reported up six people were dead and the South Island city was placed in lockdown as police hunted for an “active shooter.”

“A serious and evolving situation is occurring in Christchurch with an active shooter,” police said in a statement.

“Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high.”

The Masjid al Noor was filled with worshippers, including members of the Bangladesh cricket team.

A team spokesman said none of the players were hurt.

“They are safe. But they are mentally shocked. We have asked the team to stay confined in the hotel,” he told AFP.

He said the attack happened as some of Bangladesh players disembarked from a team bus and was about to enter the mosque.

Bangladeshi cricketer Tamim Iqbal Khan said on Twitter: “Entire team got saved from active shooters!!!”

Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers #christchurchMosqueAttack — Tamim Iqbal Khan (@TamimOfficial28) March 15, 2019

“Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers,” he added.

Mushfiqar Rahim also took to social media and wrote, ” Alhamdulillah Allah save us today while shooting in Christchurch in the mosque…we r extremely lucky…never want to see this things happen again….pray for us.”

Alhamdulillah Allah save us today while shooting in Christchurch in the mosque…we r extremely lucky…never want to see this things happen again….pray for us — Mushfiqur Rahim (@mushfiqur15) March 15, 2019

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it’s ‘one of New Zealand’s darkest days’ after multiple fatalities at the two mosques.

"This is one of New Zealand's darkest day. It is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence. "Migrants and refugees have chosen to make New Zealand their home and it is their home. For the person who perpetuated this violence it is not." – Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern — RNZ (@radionz) March 15, 2019

One witness told stuff.co.nz he was praying in the Deans Ave mosque when he heard shooting and saw his wife lying dead on the footpath outside when he fled. Another man said he saw children being shot.

“There were bodies all over me,” he said.

An eyewitness told Radio New Zealand he heard shots fired and four people were lying on the ground, with “blood everywhere”.

Police commissioner Mike Bush said all schools in the city had been placed in lockdown in response to “a serious ongoing firearms incident”.

“Police urge anyone in central Christchurch to stay off the streets and report any suspicious behaviour,” he said in a statement.

Central city buildings, including the Civic Offices and Central Library, were also locked down.

The city council offered a helpline for parents looking for kids attending a mass climate change rally nearby.

“Please do not try and come and collect your children until police say it is safe for people to come into the central city,” they said.

According to BBC, witnesses said “several people appeared to be injured inside the building” and the police had advised people to stay away from the area.

Buildings surrounding the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch were evacuated by authorities and the schools in the neighbourhood were placed on lockdown, according to police commissioner Mike Bush.

Earlier, Mohammad Isam — a reporter associated with ESPN Cricinfo — had written on Twitter that the “Bangladesh team [he is assigned to] escaped from a mosque near Hagley Park where there were active shooters.

Bangladesh team escaped from a mosque near Hagley Park where there were active shooters. They ran back through Hagley Park back to the Oval. pic.twitter.com/VtkqSrljjV — Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) March 15, 2019

Bangladesh team escaped from a mosque near Hagley Park where there were active shooters. They ran back through Hagley Park back to the Oval. pic.twitter.com/VtkqSrljjV — Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) March 15, 2019

Bangladesh team escaped from a mosque near Hagley Park where there were active shooters. They ran back through Hagley Park back to the Oval. pic.twitter.com/VtkqSrljjV — Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) March 15, 2019

“They ran back through Hagley Park back to the Oval,” he added.



