NEW ZEALAND—Forty people were killed and more than 20 seriously wounded in mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand’s Christchurch on Friday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
Three Somalis have already been identified as among the mosque-goers killed in the Friday afternoon attack.
Ardern said New Zealand had been placed on its highest security threat level. She said four people in police custody held militant views, but had not been on any police watchlists.
Ardern said the events in Christchurch represented “an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence” and acknowledged many of those affected may be migrants and refugees.
According to Herald, a Newzealand media outlet, Mohammed Ibrahim who was at the scene claimed that they thought it was electricity faulty after they heard a loud bang.
Mohammed claims he is concerned about the fate of his friends who he could not reach after the incident.
It was described as “a terrorist attack” by Newzealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, and an “extremist, right-wing violent terrorist [attack]” by Australian prime minister Scott Morrison.
Police Commissioner, Mike Bush said there were a number of IEDs attached to vehicles that we also stopped,” Bush added. “They’ve been made safe by the defence force but that does go to the seriousness of this situation.”
“Let’s not presume that the danger is gone,” he added.
Bush he said the motive is still unknown, “we are still looking at the circumstances that surround that. It doesn’t get any more serious in this country.”
A facility where people can get more information about their loved ones was put up by police, Bush said.
“Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high,” police tweeted.
