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Tearful Students Pay Tribute To New Zealand Mosque Victims

Tearful Students Pay Tribute To New Zealand Mosque Victims

The students led a candlelit vigil and performed traditional Maori Haka dance

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

Hundreds of students from across New Zealand have come out in support of the victims of Friday's horrific terror attack. The school children were gathered outside the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, where a white supremacist massacred 50 Muslims.

Videos and photos show the students lighting candles and singing in remembrance of those who lost their lives, with some of them coming together to perform a traditional Maori Haka dance.

Historically, the Haka is a war dance, but it is also used as a display of pride, strength and unity.

The tearful students were visibly upset, as many of them hugged while stood outside the mosque, which was one of two targetted in the attack.

Students perform a traditional Haka dance.
PA

The shooting is reported to have been carried out by Australian citizen Brenton Tarrant. It's alleged that he live-streamed chilling footage of the attack as it was in progress. He was arrested by police afterwards and on Saturday was charged with murder.

Following the attack, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has vowed to reform gun laws in the country.

Speaking in a press conference on Monday, she said: "Within 10 days of this horrific act of terrorism we will have announced reforms which will, I believe, make our community safer."

A candlelit vigil was led by Christchurch students.
PA

According to reports from the Daily Mail, some victims came from as far away as Egypt, Delhi and Pakistan, with victims aged between three years old and 77.

Authorities have said that 31 people are still in hospital, with nine of them in a critical condition.

The atrocity has brought the community together, as New Zealanders have stood in solidarity against terrorism.

In the wake of the attack, members of one of the country's most notorious gangs were spotted consoling mourners and families of the victims.

A gang member consoles mourners.
Getty

Over the weekend, PM Ardern described the time as one of the country's 'darkest days'.

In a statement, she said: "We New Zealanders were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone this racism, or because we are an enclave of extremism - we were chosen for the very fact that we are none of these things.

"I want to send a message to those directly affected... For many this may have not been the place they were born. For many New Zealand was their choice, a place they actively came to and committed themselves to... It was a place where many came to for their safety. A place where it was safe to practice their culture and religion."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: New Zealand, World News