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.
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A graphic showing the locations of the two mosques in Christchurch. The sites are roughly a 10-minute drive apart.
The Queen has sent a message of condolence to the people of New Zealand. In her message to the Governor-General of New Zealand, Dame Patsy Reddy, the Queen said her prayers were with all New Zealanders.
She said in her message: "I have been deeply saddened by the appalling events in Christchurch today. Prince Philip and I send our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.
"I also pay tribute to the emergency services and volunteers who are providing support to those who have been injured.
"At this tragic time, my thoughts and prayers are with all New Zealanders."
Politicians around the world, including Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn, Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Claude Juncker, have paid tribute to the victims of the attack.
Donald Trump has described the killings as a "horrible massacre in the mosques".
Theresa May has sent a direct message to the New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, a Downing Street spokeswoman has said.
Global reaction to the shootings have poured in from heads of state and religious leaders.
Pope Francis denounced the "senseless acts of violence" in Christchurch and said he was praying for the Muslim community and all New Zealanders.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent a message to her New Zealand counterpart, Jacinda Ardern, expressing her "deep shock" and condemnation of the attacks.
Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte called the attacks "dreadful," noting that the victims were "hit while they were in a place of prayer. All forms of intolerance, hatred and violence are inacceptable."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel sent a telegram to Ms Arden, expressing her condolences and calling it a "perfidious attack on worshippers and their houses of prayer".
The secretary-general of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Youssef al-Othaimeen, said in a statement Friday the attack "served as a further warning on the obvious dangers of hate, intolerance, and Islamophobia."
The prime minister of Norway, which saw 77 people killed in a far-right attack eight years ago, expressed solidarity with New Zealand. "This is a strong reminder of how important it is for all of us to help bring down tensions, work against extremism, and that we show solidarity with each other when something like that happens," she said.
BREAKING: Downing Street has demanded that UK news and media companies remove footage of the far-right terror rampage against Muslims in New Zealand.
Jeremy Corbyn has laid a wreath outside the entrance to the High Commission of New Zealand in London.
The wreath had a note attached which read: "In deep sadness at the tragic loss of life. In their memory let us build a world of diversity and respect." It signed off with the Labour leader's name.
He then went inside the building where he met the high commissioner Sir Jerry Mateparae.
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