49 killed in NZ carnage

Christchurch, March 15

A gunman shot dead 49 persons and wounded 40 at two New Zealand mosques, some as they were kneeling at prayer, livestreaming online for 17 minutes the killings that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned as terrorism.

The gunman broadcast footage of the attack on one mosque in Christchurch on Facebook, mirroring the carnage played out in video games, after publishing a “manifesto” in which he denounced immigrants, calling them “invaders”.

The video footage widely circulated on social media, apparently taken by a gunman and posted online live as the attack unfolded, showed him driving to one mosque, entering it and shooting randomly at people inside.

It was the worst-ever mass killing in New Zealand, which raised its security threat level to the highest, Ardern said, adding “this can now only be described as a terrorist attack”.

Police said three persons were in custody, including one man in his late 20s who had been charged with murder. He will appear in court on Saturday. Police have not identified any of the suspects. Police said improvised explosive devices were found. 

The gunman’s video had shown red petrol canisters in the back of his car, along with weapons. Police Commissioner Mike Bush said 49 persons had been killed, while Health authorities said 48 were being treated for gunshot wounds, including young children.

US President Donald Trump condemned the “horrible massacre” in what the White House called a “vicious act of hate”. “The US stands by New Zealand for anything we can do,” Trump wrote in a post on Twitter.

The visiting Bangladesh cricket team was arriving for prayers at one of the mosques when the shooting started. Mario Villavarayen, a team coach, said: “They are shaken but good.” The team was in Christchurch for the third and final Test, which was cancelled and the tour called off, New Zealand Cricket said later. 

Shooter a white nationalist

The gunman, claiming to be a 28-year-old Australian white nationalist who hates immigrants, left a manifesto on social media under name ‘Brenton Tarrant’. He was set off by attacks in Europe by Muslims and wanted revenge. He chose NZ to show “no place on earth is safe and that even a country as far away as NZ is subject to mass immigration”. He also referred to Anders Breivik, a Norwegian extremist who killed 77 in 2011.

9 Indians ‘missing’, govt in touch

India’s High Commission in New Zealand was ascertaining details about the possibility of Indians being affected in the Christchurch attacks amidst unconfirmed reports that nine Indian nationals were missing after the shootings. Ahmed Jehangir from Hyderabad is reportedly among the injured. His family approached MP Asadudin Owaisi to approach the MEA to help them reach New Zealand. The mission said any Indian caught up in the massacre and needing assistance could contact them at 021803899 or 021850033.