There is an evolving firearms incident in central Christchurch and multiple people have been killed.
Witnesses have told Newshub there were incidents at two mosques, with one on Deans Ave and the other near Linwood.
Here is what we know:
- Forty-nine people have been killed in Christchurch, according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in what she describes as a "terrorist attack"
- Forty-eight patients, including children, are being treated in Christchurch Hospital for gunshot wounds ranging from minor to critical
- Three people are in custody after a series of simultaneous attacks across Christchurch
- One of those people, a male in his late twenties, has been charged with murder
- New Zealand's national security threat level has been lifted from 'low' to 'high'
- One of the shooters has been confirmed as an Australian citizen by Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison
- The four individuals in custody were not on any watchlist
- A mosque on Deans Ave and another on Linwood Ave have been confirmed as shooting sites. These sites remain locked down
- Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were found attached to vehicles but they have since been disabled
- Police said the public should not assume the incident is contained to Christchurch and people in other centres should be on alert
If you are in Christchurch it is advised that you stay indoors and ring 111 if you see or know of anything suspicious.
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Newshub.
