Christchurch: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday said 40 people have died in the Christchurch terror attack. Ten were killed at Linwood and 30 at the Deans Ave mosque near Hagley Park.
Ardern said it was an “unprecedented” situation and described it as a deadly terrorist attack.
Those in custody had not been on any watch list: “It’s not a matter of someone having slipped under the radar.”
She said it was obvious the attacks had been planned for some time. The National Security Threat Level had been lifted from low to high. The Defence Force was transporting more police to Christchurch.
Ardern said New Zealand was a place of safety where they raise their families. “Those values will not and cannot be shaken.”
Four arrested after massacres at mosques
The terrorists opened fire at mosques in Christchurch earlier today. Four people are in custody – three men and one woman.
The Police Commissioner Mike Bush said “there have been some absolute acts of bravery” in the arrests of the four attackers.
A number of IEDs that were attached to vehicles in Christchurch have been defused by the Defence Force. Bush said there were multiple casualties – a “significant” amount. “This is absolutely tragic. So many people are affected.” (NZ Herald)
