New Zealand attack - live updates: Suspected gunman appears in court as Prime Minister Ardern promises ‘gun laws will change’

At least 49 killed in mass shooting of worshippers in two mosques

Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand Prime Minister says at least 40 dead in mosque shooting

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.

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.

Follow the latest developments in our live blog below.

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Key Points

• The shooting began at Masjid Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch at 1.45pm
• At least 49 dead and dozens seriously injured, say police and PM Ardern
• Brenton Tarrant has been remanded in custody after he was charged with murder
• Manifesto and live stream purporting to show attack were posted online
• Police search property in Dunedin linked to the shootings
• Presidents, prime ministers and religious leaders pay tribute to victims

[16 March 2019 00:35 · Henry Austin]

Police Commissioner Mike Bush has thanked the public for their bravery during the attack and suggested their intervention may well have saved further lives.

An extra 125 police officers have moved into Christchurch to assist with keeping the city safe.

Commissioner Bush added that the officers who rammed the car had put themselves in danger because of the improvised explosive devices on the car. 

The person who was detained was "not willing to be arrested", he said, adding that he listened to live audio of it taking place. 

Police have a number of leads they are investigating, he said.

"We want to assure the public we are not searching for anyone who is an immediate risk, but that doesn't mean they don't exist," he added. 

[16 March 2019 01:08 · Henry Austin]

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and opposition leader Simon Bridges have flown to Christchurch along with other senior government ministers. 

They were taken to a meeting with representatives of the Muslim community, according to The New Zealand Herald. 

[16 March 2019 01:14 · Henry Austin]

Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights has condemned the attack.

"The murderous Islamophobic and terrorist attack, just hours ago, on two mosques in New Zealand is yet another terrible reminder that racism kills," she said.

"Now and on March 21, International Day for the elimination of racial discrimination, we renew our promise to the world's people that we stand with the victims, in their grief and their demand for justice; and that we will struggle – every day of every year – against all forms of racism."

[16 March 2019 01:19 · Henry Austin]

A Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and the Highlanders has been called off in the wake of the shootings. 

Set to be played at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand Rugby's Chief Rugby Officer Nigel Cass said: "After consulting widely with both teams and key stakeholders, New Zealand Rugby has decided to cancel this evening's match."

[16 March 2019 01:36 · Henry Austin]

Jacinda Adern brought a message "of love and support and grief of the people of New Zealand," when she visited Muslim community leaders at a refugee centre in Christchurch.  

Local council leaders were working to provide alternative and safe places for worship while mosques were closed, she said, according to The New Zealand Herald. 

The extra police presence was focused mainly on the safety of all those in the city, she added.