Attacks on two Christchurch mosques left at least 49 dead Friday, with one
\ngunman — identified as an Australian extremist — apparently
\nlivestreaming the assault that triggered the lockdown of the New Zealand
\ncity.<\/p>\n
In what appeared to be the worst attack against Muslims in a western
\ncountry, witnesses spoke of victims being shot at close range, with women
\nand children believed to be among those killed.<\/p>\n
“It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack,”
\nsaid Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, saying it marked “one of New Zealand’s
\ndarkest days”.<\/p>\n
“From what we know, it does appear to have been well planned,” she said,
\nadding that in addition to the dead another 20 people were seriously
\ninjured.<\/p>\n
The gunman at one mosque was an Australian-born citizen, Australian Prime
\nMinister Scott Morrison said in Sydney, describing him as “an extremist,
\nright-wing, violent terrorist”.<\/p>\n
It was not immediately clear how many attackers were involved, but Ardern
\nsaid three men had been taken into custody.<\/p>\n
Two IEDs (improvised explosive devices) were also found and neutralised by
\nthe military, police said.<\/p>\n
A Palestinian man who was in one of the mosques said he saw someone being
\nshot in the head.<\/p>\n
“I heard three quick shots, then after about 10 seconds it started again.
\nIt must have been an automatic — no one could pull a trigger that quick,”
\nthe man, who did not wish to be named, told AFP.<\/p>\n
“Then people started running out. Some were covered in blood,” he said,
\nadding that he joined the fleeing crowd and managed to escape.<\/p>\n
Local media reported at least nine people were dead.<\/p>\n
Video and documents circulating online — but not officially confirmed —
\nsuggested the shooter had streamed his attack on Facebook Live.<\/p>\n
AFP has examined the footage, which has subsequently been taken down.
\nJournalists experienced in verification techniques said it appeared to be
\ngenuine.<\/p>\n
New Zealand police described it as “extremely distressing” and urged web
\nusers not to share it.<\/p>\n
A manifesto had also been posted online on accounts linked to the same
\nFacebook page, suggesting the attack was racially motivated.<\/p>\n
A number of pictures were posted to a social media account of a
\nsemi-automatic weapon covered in the names of historical figures, many of
\nwhom were involved in the killing of Muslims.<\/p>\n
Police, who initially imposed a city-wide lockdown, sent armed officers to
\na number of scenes.<\/p>\n
‘Darkest day’
\nAn ashen-faced Ardern told reporters the attacks had been “an
\nextraordinary and unprecedented act of violence”.<\/p>\n
“It is clear that this is one of New Zealand’s darkest days,” she said.<\/p>\n
Forty-one of those slain were at the Masjid al Noor in central
\nChristchurch, police said. Seven more were killed at the Linwood Ave
\nmosque, three of them outside the building. It is unclear where the
\nremaining victim died.<\/p>\n
The two mosques are about five kilometres apart. It was not clear if the
\nsame gunman was involved at both sites.<\/p>\n