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Four People Have Been Arrested Following Twin Mosque Attacks In New Zealand

Four People Have Been Arrested Following Twin Mosque Attacks In New Zealand

Police say there could be more suspects out there who were involved in the attacks.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Four people have been arrested following horrific and sickening attacks on two mosques in New Zealand.

Authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities and dozens of people have been injured and taken to hospital after the twin attacks at the Al Noor and Linwood Masjid mosques in Christchurch.

Police have provided an update on the situation, saying three men and a woman have been taken into custody. They haven't been able to give details about the suspects.

Commissioner Mike Bush said there could be more suspects involved in this attack.

A man reacts to the sickening attack near a mosque in Christchurch.
PA

"We are currently dealing with an unprecedented situation in New Zealand. It's very grave, it's very serious," he told reporters.

"This is absolutely tragic. There will be so many people affected. As you can imagine, this is requiring every police and emergency resource we have available."

He adds that there have been some outstanding acts of bravery from the police who apprehended the suspects.

Commissioner Bush said that several improvised explosive devices attached to vehicles have been found and made safe by the defence force.

Police officer speaking to a witness of the attack.
PA

When asked whether police were declaring the incident a terror attack, Commissioner Bush said it was too early to tell and they were doing an analysis of the motives behind it.

"We're looking at the circumstances that surround that. It doesn't get any more serious," he told reporters.

One of the gunmen strapped a camera to their head and live-streamed the whole incident onto social media. Police have encouraged people not to watch it and are working to get it taken down.

The entire Bangladeshi cricket team were reported to have been in one of the mosques that were attacked. Luckily, they all escaped and are being looked after.

The New Zealand Prime Minister has spoken how the incident is one of the country's darkest days.

Jacinda Ardern told reporters: "Clearly, what has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence.

"Certainly, it has occurred in a place where people should have been expressing their religious freedom. Where they should have been in a safe environment. And they have not been today.

"There is no place in New Zealand for such extreme acts of unprecedented violence. The people who were the subject of this attack today, New Zealand is their home. They should be safe here. The person who has perpetuated this violent act against them, they have no place in New Zealand society.

"For now my thoughts and I'm sure the thoughts of all New Zealanders are with those who have been affected their families."

Police have also recently lifted the lockdown on all schools in the city.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: New Zealand, Attack, Police