Picture : Twitter / ANI
In a shocking incident , that has shaken New Zealand, several people were reported dead when a gunman opened fire at a crowded mosque in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, during afternoon prayers . Local media reported up to six people were dead and the South Island city was placed in lockdown as police hunted for an “active shooter.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that 40 people were killed in the mass shootings at two Christchurch mosques
New Zealand Police has confirmed the arrest of four people. Mike Bush of the police said four people were in custody — one woman, three men. “We are still looking at the circumstances around it. Lets not presume that the danger is gone,” he said. Police have called it a ‘serious and evolving situation involving an active shooter’.
According to local media reports, the shooter reportedly live streamed the entire incident on Facebook. Witnesses told media that a man dressed in a military-style, camouflage outfit, and carrying an automatic rifle had started randomly shooting people in the Al Noor mosque. Police said they had one person in custody but they were not sure if others were involved. They also advised people to stay away from mosques
The Masjid al Noor was filled with worshippers, including members of the Bangladesh cricket team. 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.
An eyewitness told Radio New Zealand he heard shots fired and four people were lying on the ground, with “blood everywhere”.
