New Zealand attack - live updates: Police launch investigation into suspected gunman after 49 killed at Christchurch mosques
At least 49 people have been killed and dozens more are seriously injured after shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Witnesses described seeing bodies and “blood everywhere” following the attack at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch at about 1.45pm.
Police have arrested an Australian citizen – a 28-year-old man – and another three people, following a second shooting at another mosque in the Christchurch suburbs.
Brenton Tarrant, named as the suspect in Australian media, appeared to have live-streamed the attack in Christchurch and outlined his anti-immigrant motives in a manifesto posted online.
A search of a property in Dunedin, around 200 miles to the south, was carried out by police.
Videos and documents posted online appear to suggest that the shooter live-streamed his attack on Facebook and prepared an anti-immigrant “manifesto” prior to the shooting.
Prime minister Jacinda Ardern has raised New Zealand's national security threat level from low to high.
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