49 Confirmed Killed in Christchurch Mosque Mass Killings

Two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand were targets of two simultaneous mass shootings earlier today, when Muslims were performing their Friday prayer.

As of now, 49 people were confirmed killed during the incidents, while 48 people including young children were being treated in Christchurch Hospital for gunshot wounds.

According to a report by the British newspaper, The Guardian, the gunfire broke out in the Al Noor Mosque, Deans Avenue, at about 1:40pm local time.

An estimated 300 people were in the mosque at the time of the shooting.

The other mosque that was attacked was the Linwood Islamic Centre, where 7 people were confirmed dead, according to a statement made by New Zealand’s police commissioner, Mike Bush.

At the Deans Avenue mosque, we now know that 41 people have lost their lives. And at the Linwood mosque, 7 have lost their lives. Of the 40 people who have been treated at Christchurch Hospital, one has now passed. So the total number of people who have died in this horrendous event are 49.

~Police High Commissioner of New Zealand, Mike Bush

Bush urged all mosques in the country to close their doors for the time being for security reasons.

New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern stated that this is “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”, and that “what has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence”.

Four suspects were arrested by the authorities, three men and one woman, with one of them already charged of murder and shall appear in court tomorrow.

The High Commission of Malaysia in Wellington also confirmed that one Malaysian identified as Mohd Tarmizi Shuib, a Malay College of Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) alumnus, was injured in the shooting and is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

The attacker was reported to have live-streamed the shooting as it happened, however, the New Zealand police urged people not to share the “distressing” footage of the violence.

Flags across New Zealand shall be flown at half-mast today, as the shooting is said to be one of New Zealand’s worst attacks ever.

New Zealand Earthquake Killed 75-Pictures

A man looks for any victims amongst rubble in central Christchurch February 22, 2011. REUTERS/Simon Baker (NEW ZEALAND

Yesterday a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch in September 2010.

So far, 75 people were killed and 300 are still missing.

Lots of people are still trapped inside the damaged buildings.

Some areas are unsafe because there are lots of unstable buildings.

Police warned that the 26-story Hotel Grand Chancellor may collapse.

If that happens, it may cause disaster to the unstable buildings around it.

On Thursday, more foreign rescuers will be helping to dig out the trapped victims.

I am very sad and sorry for the earthquake victims and their families.

I hope that there will be better news tomorrow.

The quake caused ice to break from New Zealand’s biggest glacier and formed huge icebergs in the Tasman Lake.

Fallen debris lies on mangled cars in a street in Christchurch. (AFP/Logan Mcmillan)

Smoke rises from the collapsed CTV building, that housed a TV broadcaster and an English language school, following Tuesday's earthquake in Christchurch February 23, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne

An area is cordoned off after the front wall of a row of shops is destroyed following Tuesday's earthquake in the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch February 23, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne

Search crew members look through the rubble of the CTV building which was devastated by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in central Christchurch February 23, 2011. New Zealand declared a national state of emergency to cope with the effects of the devastating earthquake.REUTERS/Simon Baker

Powerful Earthquake Hit New Zealand-Pictures

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In this image made from video run by New Zealand's TV3, people are seen on a street in Christchurch, New Zealand Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011 after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the city. (AP Photo/TV3 via Associated Press Television News) NEW ZEALAND OUT, TV OUT

Please click here for the updated news.

On Tuesday afternoon, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand.

It happened during lunchtime when lots of people were in the city and kids were in their schools.

Christchurch is the second biggest city in New Zealand.

So far at least 65 people were killed and a lot of people were injured.

This is a terrible disaster.

Christchurch was hit by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in September 2010 but nobody was killed.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the city at a depth of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers).

A lot of buildings were collapsed, burying lots of vehicles.

A building in Christchurch, New Zealand, is destroyed after an earthquake struck Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/NZPA, Pam Johnson)

People were trapped in collapsed buildings.

The police said there was a report of two buses crushed under falling buildings.

Roads were cracked and destroyed.

There were also reports that some parts of the roads were swallowed together with the cars.

The earthquake also caused fire and some part or the city was flooded when the pipes burst.

Rescue workers work to extinguish a fire at a collapsed building in central Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. A powerful earthquake collapsed buildings at the height of a busy workday killing at least 65 people and trapping dozens in one of the country's worst natural disasters. (AP Photo/New Zealand Herald, Mark Mitchell) NEW ZEALAND OUT, AUSTRALIA OUT

The Christchurch, New Zealand, suburb of Bexley is flooded following an earthquake, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. A powerful earthquake collapsed buildings at the height of a busy workday killing at least 65 people and trapping dozens in one of the country's worst natural disasters. (AP Photo/New Zealand Herald, Mark Mitchell) NEW ZEALAND OUT, AUSTRALIA OUT

The Christchurch airport is closed.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker declared a state of emergency and ordered people to evacuate the city center.

I am very sad and sorry for the earthquake victims and their families.

I hope that the school buildings are okay and the kids are not hurt.

A car crushed by rubble from collapsed buildings is pictured after an earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, in this February 22, 2011 image taken from video footage. REUTERS/TV3 via Reuters TV

People walk past rubble as they evacuate after an earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, in this February 22, 2011 image taken from video footage. REUTERS/TV3 via Reuters TV

 

Powerful 7.1 Quake Hits New Zealand-Pictures

People stand outside a building damaged by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in central Christchurch, New Zealand, early Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010. (AP Photo/NZPA, David Alexander) ** NEW ZEALAND OUT **

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand’s South Island early Saturday.

The quake hit at 4:35 a.m. (1635 GMT).

A car damaged by rubble from a building is seen following a powerful earthquake in central Christchurch, New Zealand, early Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010. (AP Photo/NZPA, David Alexander) ** NEW ZEALAND OUT **

People ran out of their homes to the streets.

According to the state geological agency GNS Science, the quake hit 19 miles (30 kilometers) west of Christchurch.

Part of a road badly damaged by the earthquake.

There was no tsunami alert.

So far nobody was killed and only two people were seriously injured.

There were reports of some people trapped in damaged buildings.

Rubble from damaged buildings fallen on the road.

The Christchurch International Airport was closed.

Chimneys and walls had fallen from older buildings, roads had been blocked, traffic lights were out and power, gas and water supplies were disrupted.

The earthquake damaged roadway on the South Brighton Bridge approach attracts the curious after the powerful quake in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, September 04 2010.(AP Photo/NZPA, David Alexander) **NEW ZEALAND OUT**

There were reports that some buildings had collapsed.

The fronts of at least five buildings in the central city of Christchurch have collapsed.

At least six bridges had been badly damaged.

Several wharves at the port had been damaged.

Kiwirail rail transport group spokesman Kevin Ramshaw said 13 mostly freight trains had been halted on South Island lines, with some damage already confirmed to rail lines north of Christchurch.

Police said that looters broke into some of the damaged shops in Christchurch.

Minister of Civil Defense John Carter said, army troops were on standby to assist as a state of civil emergency was declared.

New Zealand sits above an area of the Earth’s crust where two tectonic plates collide.

A police officer is seen on a street blocked by rubble from a damaged building following a powerful earthquake in central Christchurch, New Zealand, early Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010. (AP Photo/NZPA, David Alexander) ** NEW ZEALAND OUT **

A damaged building.

Rubbles in front of a damaged building.

People standing in front of another damaged building.

Rubbles from damaged buildings.

Water flooding the road.

More disaster.

Another building that was damaged by the earthquake.

A car hit by rubbles from a damaged building.

The earthquake damaged road at Bexley flooded by burst pipes, in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, September 04, 2010.(AP Photo/NZPA, David Alexander) **NEW ZEALAND OUT**