49 dead in terrorist attack at two Christchurch mosques

CHRISTCHURCH — Death toll has risen to 49 following terrorist attack in New Zealand’s Christchurch.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has utterly rejected and condemned those involved in the mosque attacks.

What We Know So Far:

* A gunman walked into a mosque on Deans Ave, Christchurch carrying a semi-automatic weapon and opened fire. He live streamed the attack.

* A second shooting occurred at a mosque in Linwood.

* At least 49 people were dead as of 9 PM – 41 at the Central Mosque, 7 at Linwood Mosque, 1 in Christchurch Hospital.

* 48 people are in hospital with gunshot wounds as of 9 PM, including young children. Other injured went to medical centres.

* A 28-year-old man has been charged with murder and is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on Saturday morning.

* The shooter identified himself as 28-year old, Austrlian-born Brenton Tarrant.

* None of the suspects were on any police or terror watchlists.

* Two others remain in custody. A fourth person arrested on Friday was not related to these events, police say.

* Christchurch Hospital had 12 operating theatres in use on Friday night. Some of the injured require multiple surgeries.

* Families have shown up at the hospital and at the Deans Ave cordon, seeking news of families members.

* One person has been arrested and charged with murder. That person is thought to have been arrested on Brougham St in a car which had explosives and guns inside.

* Three others – two men and woman – are in custody, but police are unsure if they are connected.

* A missing people’s register has been set up. Families and friends can register missing people on 0800 115 019.

* Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern calls the attacks “NZ’s darkest day”.

* This is the deadliest mass shooting on record in New Zealand.