There have been reports of at least 49 dead and several others with serious gunshot injuries after a mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques by a gunman who used a GoPro camera to live-stream the attack.
The attack which started at around 1.40pm local time (12.40am GMT) started with a social media live-streaming where the gunman said, “Let’s get this party started”, before approaching the Masjid Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand and started shooting at worshippers attending Friday prayers in the mosques.
The gunman continued to record himself as gunned down people (worshippers) with an assault rifle as he moved calmly from room to room while people scale fences in desperate attempt to flee to save their lives.
After the shootings at Masjid Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch, he drove about three miles east to the Linwood Masjid mosque and started shooting at the worshippers here also. Survivals of the attack narrated their ordeal of experiencing the horror while fleeing for their lives and the goring sight of blood all over the mosques like a battle field.
The gunman was later arrested inside a care with several other weapons and two improvised explosive devices by the police.
According to the police report, 41 people died in Masjid Al Noor mosque while 7 died at the Linwood Masjid mosque while one of the victims died in the hospital while receiving treatment.
The Canterbury District Health Board chief executive, David Meates told the press that the victims are receiving efficient medical care and surgeons are expected to work into the night treating 48 victims with gunshot wounds ranging from minor to critical. He added that they are currently making use of 12 operating theatres that have been operating since afternoon and will be continuing through until about midnight.
The gunman upon arrest has been identified as a 28 years old Australian national, Brenton Tarrant. About few minutes before shooting at the mosques, a Twitter user who identified himself as Brenton Tarrant had posted an anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant ideas of 87-page manifesto and explanations for an attack.
According to the Police commissioner, Mike Bush, the gunman will be appearing in court tomorrow to face charges with murder. Two other suspects had also been taking into custody while a fourth person who was initially arrested had been cleared of any involvement in the attacks. Mike Bush stated that the improvised explosive substances found inside the vehicle were Brenton Tarrant was arrested had been disabled but expressed fears that the attacker may have other accomplices which could still be at large.
The general public had been warned to stay away from mosques and residents of Christchurch have been advised to remain indoors until further notice from the authorities.
