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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"By showing the video taken by Brenton Tarrant of his bloody assault – even if edited to exclude the worst elements – some parts of the media in this country and elsewhere have done precisely as he would have wished," argues Will Gore.
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Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, Bangladesh's honorary consul in Auckland, has said that three Bangladeshis were among those killed in the attack. Four or five others were wounded, including two people who remain in critical condition.
Two Jordanians were also among those killed and four Pakistani citizens have been wounded, while five are still missing.
More details are emerging about the victims at the centre of the terrorist attack.
Several of those wounded or killed appear to be from south Asia or the Middle East.
Malaysia says two of its citizens have been hospitalised, and the Saudi Embassy in Wellington says two Saudis were wounded.
Two Indonesians, a father and son, were also among those shot and wounded.
Barack Obama has sent his condolences to the people of New Zealand.
"We grieve with you and the Muslim community," he said, on Twitter.
"All of us must stand against hatred in all its forms."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said at least three Turkish citizens were wounded in the attack and that he has spoken to one of them.
Jeremy Corbyn, the UK Labour leader, has issued a plea for unity in the aftermath of today's events.
"Let's respect each other's diversity," he said.
Donald Trump has spoken to Jacinda Ardern and offered her "solidarity" and "assistance".
"I informed the Prime Minister that we stand in solidarity with New Zealand," he said
New Zealand Police say a 28-year-old man will appear in Christchurch District Court today charged with murder.
Two others remain in custody.
"We are continuing to make enquiries after yesterday's tragic events in Christchurch," Mike Bush, the police commissioner said.
"As the Prime Minister stated yesterday, this has been designated a terrorist attack.
"49 people have died and 42 are being treated for injuries."
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