NEW ZEALAND: Terror attacks on two Christchurch mosques left at least 49 dead Friday, with one gunman - identified as an Australian extremist, apparently livestreaming the assault that triggered the lockdown of the New Zealand city.
One of witnesses spoke of victims being shot at close range, with women and children also believed to be among those killed.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says "It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack," saying it marked "one of New Zealand's darkest days".
Also said "From what we know, it does appear to have been well planned,"adding that in addition to the dead another 20 people were seriously injured.
Gunman at one mosque was an Australian-born citizen, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in Sydney, describing him as "an extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist".
It was not clear how many attackers were involved, but Ardern said three men had been taken into custody.
2 IEDS (improvised explosive devices) were also found and neutralised by the military, police said.
Palestinian man who was in one of the mosques said he saw someone being shot in the head.
"I heard three quick shots, then after about 10 seconds it started again. It must have been an automatic, no one could pull a trigger that quick," one witness public told.
Somehow he escaped "Then people started running out. Some were covered in blood," he said, adding that he joined the fleeing crowd and managed to escape.
Video and documents circulating online, but not officially confirmed, suggested the shooter had streamed his attack on Facebook Live.
upon checking wih AFP has examined the footage, which has subsequently been taken down. Journalists experienced in verification techniques said it appeared to be genuine.
New Zealand police says "extremely distressing" and urged web users not to share it.
Manifesto had also been posted online on accounts linked to the same Facebook page, suggesting the attack was racially motivated.
Social media account had also posted a number of pictures of a semi-automatic weapon covered in the names of historical figures, many of whom were involved in the killing of Muslims.
Masjid al Noor in central Christchurch was filled with worshippers, when the attack happened.
Bangladesh cricket team, which had been in Christchurch for a test match against New Zealand that was later cancelled, all escaped without injury.
Spokesman said the attack happened as some of players got off a team bus and were about to enter the mosque.
"They are safe. But they are mentally shocked. We have asked the team to stay confined in the hotel," he told AFP.
This Mass shootings are rare in New Zealand, which tightened its gun laws to restrict access to semi-automatic rifles in 1992, two years after a mentally ill man shot dead 13 people in the South Island town of Aramoana.
Anyone over 16 can apply for a standard firearms licence after doing a safety course, which allows them to purchase and use a shotgun unsupervised.
Earlier in Christchurch, a relatively small city in the south of New Zealand, hit global headlines in 2011 when it was struck by a deadly earthquake.
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