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
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Your support makes all the difference.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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Here is our latest report on the shooting at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, which has left at least 49 people dead
More from police commissioner Mike Bush, who was speaking a little earlier.
Asked about reports that a shooter was wearing explosives, he said: "I am aware of that commentary. What I can say is that person may have suggested that. We have eliminated that as a possibility: there was not.
"We have also talked about IED devices on two vehicles. I would like to clarify that and say that there were possibly two IEDs on one vehicle, and we have disabled one, and we are in the process of disabling the other with the assistance of the defence force."
Mr Bush told reporters the attack was a "very well-planned event".
Asked if the police were searching for any other suspects, he said: "We never assume that there aren't other people involved, that's why we've got an immense presence out there ... but we don't have named or identified people that we are looking for, but it would be wrong to assume that there is no-one else."
He added: "At this point we are not actively looking for any identified persons."
Dozens of people were injured in the attack, with the nationalities of some of those being released by their respective governments.
- Indonesia's ambassador to New Zealand, Tantowi Yahya, told Reuters six Indonesians had been inside one of the mosques when the attack occurred, with three managing to escape and three unaccounted for.
- Afghanistan's ambassador to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, Wahidullah Waissi, said on Twitter three Afghans had been wounded.
- Two Malaysians were wounded in the attack, its foreign ministry said.
We will bring you further details on the dead and injured as they are released by the authorities.
Air New Zealand has grounded its regional flights following the Christchurch shooting. The cancellations affected 17 flights including those bound for Wellington, Dunedin and Napier.
"This is because it is not possible to screen customers and their baggage," the airline said.
"Customers affected by cancellations still wanting to travel will be rebooked on the next available service. Customers on cancelled services who no longer wish to travel can receive a refund or hold their fare in credit for up to 12 months.
"Air New Zealand apologises for the inconvenience caused. The safety of its customers and employees is paramount."
The Metropolitan Police have to assist their counterparts in New Zealand.
Neil Basu, head of counter-terrorism at Scotland Yard, said he was "monitoring events in New Zealand closely and send our condolences to all those affected".
He added: "Our international network of UK counter terrorism officers will be ready to support our counterparts in New Zealand in responding to and investigating this appalling attack."
He said police would be "stepping up reassurance patrols around mosques" in the UK, "giving advice on how people and places can protect themselves".
Eye witness to New Zealand attack describes the shooting: "We could hear the ambulances but they couldn't get to us"
Some more reaction from British politicians, including the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who said it was "heartbreaking" people had been "murdered because of their faith".
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged communities to "defeat the bigotry which fuels such hatred and violence".
Here is the latest from our home affairs and security correspondent, Lizzie Dearden, on the reaction from police in the UK.
There has been a lot of criticism of media organisations and some of the world's biggest social networks for allowing distressing footage of the shooting be shared and watched openly online.
This is despite an appeal from police not to share any video taken by the alleged attacker. Authorities in New Zealand said they were working to have the footage removed.
New Zealand Police have released a new statement describing the incident as an "ongoing situation", saying a "significant number of staff" were still on the ground in Christchurch.
Describing the attacks as "unprecedented", the force tweeted that "49 people have been killed in the attacks, 41 people at the Deans Avenue mosque, and seven at the Linwood Avenue mosque.
"One person died in hospital. The number of those being treated in hospital has been updated to 48 people.
"A 28-year-old man has been charged with murder and is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court tomorrow morning.
"Two others remain in custody. Another person was arrested earlier today however that was not related to these events."
Police said there were community events planned across the country this weekend which would see a visible police presence for safety and reassurance.
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