Several people are feared dead and dozens injured after gunmen opened fire on two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday.
The New Zealand Herald claimed up to 27 people may have been killed in the incidents.
In one incident, a gunman dressed in a military camouflage outfit randomly fired at people at the Al Noor mosque in Central Christchurch. Members of the Bangladesh cricket team had arrived at the mosque for prayers, but were reported as being safe. The New Zealand Herald reported another shooting incident at the Linwood Masjid mosque, where more than one shooter was present.
The New Zealand Herald quoted an eyewitness as saying he heard around 50 gunshots. One of the gunmen reportedly was filming the shooting, an eyewitness said. The police have taken one person into custody.
also read
- Quit Army job, International kick-boxer... Who is Deepak? Mastermind behind Delhi luxury car showroom firing
- 17 people killed in two mass shootings in South Africa, suspect at large
- Alabama mass shooting: What we know so far as 4 killed in Birmingham nightlife area
- Gym owner shot dead by bikers in South Delhi, gang war suspected
Local media also reported a car bomb incident in Strickland Street of Christchurch, which is on lock-down. People in Christchurch were asked to stay indoors and avoid mosques by police as security personnel hunted for the shooters.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned the shootings in Christchurch and declared there was no place for extreme violence in the country.
Muslims account for just over 1 percent of New Zealand's population, according to the 2013 census.