Forty individuals have been fatally shot and 20 wounded in attacks at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch during Friday afternoon services.
The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, labeled it a terrorist assault and stated it was “one of New Zealand’s most tragic days”.
This incident marks the deadliest mass shooting in the nation’s past.
She denounced the ideology fueling the assault, asserting: “You may have selected us but we completely reject and denounce you.”
Four individuals – three men and one woman – were arrested and several explosive devices were discovered attached to vehicles in the city.
One person was subsequently released.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison indicated that one of the suspects in the “right-wing extremist assault” was a citizen born in Australia.
The threat level in New Zealand has now been escalated from low to high.
Police commissioner Mike Bush urged everyone to stay away from all mosques nationwide.
He advised residents in Christchurch: “Secure your doors until you receive further information from us.”
The assailant is thought to have livestreamed at least one of the incidents.
Authorities have requested that people refrain from sharing the “upsetting” footage.
