No less than 49 people have been killed and 20 seriously injured after gunmen, on Friday, opened fire in two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.
Police have barricaded the entire crime scene where the gunmen shot sporadically for about 15 minutes.
About 48 patients, including young children with gunshot wounds, have been admitted to Christchurch hospital for treatment.
Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, in a press conference, described it as a terrorist attack.
She confirmed that 30 people were killed at the al Noor mosque on Deans Avenue. Ten people died at the Linwood mosque on Linwood Avenue, including three who were found outside the building.
“What has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence.
“For now my thoughts and I’m sure the thoughts of all New Zealanders are with those who have been affected their families,” she said.
New Zealand police commissioner, Mike Bush, said four people have been arrested – three men and one woman.
Investigation is still ongoing but the police do not believe there are any other suspects.
Ardern said that none of the four had been on any security watch lists prior to the attack.
She confirmed that one of the attackers is an Australian.
Christchurch residents have been asked to stay indoors, schools and business centres have also been closed as the police monitors the situation.
