Orlando nightclub shooting: Facebook safety check activated after deadliest mass shooting in US history

At least 50 people were killed and 53 injured after a gunman stormed the LGBT Pulse nightclub

Dina Rickman
Sunday 12 June 2016 12:35 EDT
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Friends and family console one another outside the Orlando Police Headquarters
Friends and family console one another outside the Orlando Police Headquarters (Reuters)

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Facebook has activated its safety check feature so people can let their friends know they are safe after the deadliest mass shooting in US history took place in Orlando, Florida.

At least 50 people were killed and 53 injured after a gunman stormed the LGBT Pulse nightclub at around 2am Sunday morning.

Police identified the attacker as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, and are investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. 

Mr Mateen was armed with an assault-type rifle and a handgun. He was involved with a stand-off with officers for around three hours before SWAT teams stormed the building and shot him dead.

The FBI say there are indications Mr Mateen has "leanings" towards Islamist extremism and Islamic State but no connection has been confirmed yet.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said the incident could be classified as a "domestic terror incident".

Now Facebook is reportedly giving those living in Florida the opportunity to tell their friends in the nearby area they are safe.

Latest footage of Orlando nightclub shooting

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