New Zealand police have confirmed that the shooting at two mosques in Christchurch claimed 50 lives as more than 30 people are still in the hospital being treated for their injuries. Police will share with the public a list of victims, whose bodies were kept inside the mosque, until identification was completed.
White supremacists opened fire on March 15 at two mosques―Al Noor and Linwood―in Christchurch as Muslims offered Friday prayers.
New Zealanders came together for memorials and vigils in honour of the victims with many sharing messages that this was the time to reach out to each other and stand in unity. One banner at one of the sites read “We stand together with our Muslim brothers and sisters”. In Auckland, people from different ethnicities stood arm-in-arm outside the Umar mosque.
Suspected gunman, Brenton Tarrant, was presented in a Christchurch court to the face charges for murder. He did not request bail and remanded in custody till April 5.
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Following the attack, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that New Zealand's gun laws will be changed, and to uncover how a noted extremist legally purchased two semi-automatic weapons, reportedly AR-15s, two shotguns and a lever-action gun without drawing the attention of the authorities.
A far-right “manifesto”has emerged that shows the suspect's radicalisation and preparations before the attack. The prime ministers office also received emails regarding the suspect's actions, but it wasn't noticed until after the attack.
(With inputs from agencies)
