“This Is One Of New Zealand’s Darkest Days,” NZ PM Condemns Shooting as Terrorist Attack

With the unfolding of the Christchurch shooting that has shaken up the peaceful landscape of New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made her thoughts about this horrific tragedy known. 

At a press conference that was held hours after the mass shootings at two mosques that have now claimed 49 lives, Ardern sombrely stated that this is “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”, and said it is “clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack”. 

Source: Astro Awani

After 49 lives were lost in this senseless attack, police also found improvised explosive devices strapped to vehicles, according to Buzzfeed News. On top of that, a lengthy manifesto with a heavily racist and white supremacist slant was issued by the suspects, in which victims were called ‘invaders’.

Ardern went on to say that many of those who were directly affected could be migrants and refugees, stating, “They have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and it is their home.”

What has happened in Christchurch is an extraordinary act of unprecedented violence. It has no place in New Zealand. Many of those affected will be members of our migrant communities – New Zealand is their home – they are us.

— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) March 15, 2019

At the time of writing, a man in his 20s has been charged with murder, whereas another three – two men and a woman – have been apprehended. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed that one of the apprehended is an Australian-born citizen, while UK Prime Minister Theresa May has expressed her condolences in a statement.

Aside from the 49 who were killed, 40 people are currently being treated in the Christchurch Hospital for gunshot wounds. It was reported by The Star that the Foreign Ministry said two Malaysians were injured in the attack but the New Zealand Herald said that the fate of one Malaysian, is still unknown.

The Deans Avenue mosque which was one of the targets | Source: Radio New Zealand

Ardern will be holding another press conference on Friday to speak on the matter, and has urged the public to stay indoors and follow police orders. 

Meanwhile, the video of the conference can be viewed here:

Source: Al Jazeera News

This is a developing story. We will continue to update this story and this, as more major happenings are reported. 

Also read: 40 People Died in Mass Shooting at New Zealand Mosques, 2 M’sians Injured