New Zealand mosque attacks: All you need to know so far, As it happened

New Zealand mosque attacks: What we know

During afternoon prayers on Friday – Islam's holy day – a gunman opened fire inside the Masjid al Noor mosque in central Christchurch, killing 41.

Another seven were slain at a second mosque 5km away in suburban Linwood, three of them outside the building.

It is unclear where the remaining victim died.

Queen 'deeply saddened' by New Zealand mosque attacks

"I have been deeply saddened by the appalling events in Christchurch... At this tragic time, my thoughts and prayers are with all New Zealanders," Queen Elizabeth said in a message.

"Prince Philip and I send our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives," she said, paying tribute to emergency workers and volunteers providing support to the injured. - (AFP)

Mosque killer's rifles bore white-supremacist references

The self-proclaimed racist who attacked a New Zealand mosque conducting Friday prayers during an assault that killed 49 people opened fire with rifles covered in white-supremacist graffiti and listened to a song glorifying a Bosnian Serb war criminal.

These details highlight the toxic belief system behind an unprecedented, live-streamed massacre, which Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called "one of New Zealand's darkest days".

Trying to understand what motivated the slaughter may be difficult, as some of the material posted by the killer resembles the meme-heavy hate speech prominent in dark corners of the internet. - (AP)

New Zealand mosques' attack suspect praised Trump in manifesto

The Australian-born suspect who shot dead dozens of Mulim worshippers in Christchurch, New Zealand, has published a manifesto citing US President Donald Trump and Anders Breivik, the Norwegian white supremacist who murdered 77 people in Norway in 2011.

The 74-page dossier by Brenton Tarrant, which has been described by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison as a "work of hate", praised Trump as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose".

The 28-year-old, who is now in police custody, also claimed that he had "brief contact" with Breivik and had received a "blessing" for his actions from the mass murderer's acquaintances.

WATCH: Four in custody following NZ mosque shooting - police

New Zealand police commissioner Mike Bush addresses the media following the mosque shooting in Christchurch, saying four people are in custody after the "unprecedented situation".

Air New Zealand cancels at least 17 flights 

National carrier Air New Zealand has canceled at least 17 flights in and out of Christchurch, saying it couldn't screen customers and their baggage following deadly shootings at two mosques.

The airline said some smaller planes travelling on regional routes were cancelled while larger jet planes would continue landing and taking off due to security screening processes already in place.

Typically, passengers on smaller turboprop aircraft travelling to or from Christchurch don't go through security screening and are able to walk right onto the plane.

Air New Zealand said the safety of its customers and employees was paramount and apologised for the inconvenience.  - (AP)

Bangladesh 'minutes' from being caught up in massacre

Bangladesh's Test cricketers were just a few minutes from being caught up in Friday's massacre in New Zealand when they arrived at a Christchurch mosque as shooting began, a team spokesperson said.

In a chilling account, Khaled Mashud described how most of the Bangladeshi team drove up to the Masjid al Noor in a bus just as the attack got underway.

WATCH: Jacinda Ardern condemns Christchurch mosque shootings

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has condemned the attack on two mosques in Christchurch. 

'Odious crimes against the mosques in New Zealand'

France is increasing security measures at mosques and other religious sites after the deadly attack against two mosques in New Zealand.

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner tweeted on Friday that he ordered regional prefects to send patrols and reinforce surveillance of places of worship "as a precaution".

French President Emmanuel Macron, also in a tweet, denounced the "odious crimes against the mosques in New Zealand" and said that France will work with international partners to fight terrorism.

The rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris condemned the attack in Christchurch, which left at least 49 dead.

France is home to western Europe's largest Muslim community. While French Muslim and Jewish sites are sporadically targeted by vandals, France has not seen a major attack on mosques of the kind that targeted New Zealand. - (AP)

'Solidarity with the people of New Zealand'

Japan's top government spokesperson has offered his condolences to the victims of mosque attacks in New Zealand and says Japan stands by the people of that country.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, in a regular news conference on Friday, expressed "heartfelt condolences" to the shooting victims and their families, while extending sympathy for the injured.

Suga expressed "solidarity with the people of New Zealand".

Japan's Foreign Ministry issued an emergency safety advisory to Japanese nationals in the area, urging them to stay indoors and follow instructions from the local authorities.

The ministry also advised the Japanese in Christchurch to closely monitor local news "to secure your own safety".

So far no Japanese have been affected by the attacks. - (AP)

WATCH: Christchurch massacre kills 49

New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush speaks to reporters in Wellington, New Zealand, following a mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch on Friday. Mr Bush says the death toll from today's massacre currently lies at 49.

London mayor says mosque attacks 'heartbreaking'

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has expressed solidarity with the people of New Zealand following attacks on worshippers attending prayers at two Christchurch mosques.

Khan said in a statement on Friday that the news is "heartbreaking".

He says: "London stands with the people of Christchurch in the face of this horrific terror attack. London will always celebrate the diversity that some seek to destroy."

Khan sought to reassure Muslim communities in London following the attacks, saying that the Metropolitan Police would be visible outside mosques.

London mosques have been targeted in the past. One man died and several others were injured in 2017 when Darren Osborne drove a van into people leaving evening prayers.

Prosecutors say Osborne was motivated by a hatred of Muslims and been radicalized by far-right propaganda he found online.

'Brutal crime'

Germany's foreign minister says the attacks on two mosques in Christchurch are a "brutal crime" that touches people of all religions around the world.

In two tweets, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Friday Germany's sympathies were with the friends and families of the victims of the attack.

He says "the horrific terrorist attack in Christchurch targeted peacefully praying Muslims — if people are murdered solely because of their religion, that is an attack on all of us.

"Maas says "we stand at the side of the victims. Stay strong New Zealand!"

'Terrible attacks'

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says he's shocked at the "terrible attacks" that killed dozens of worshippers attending Friday prayers in two mosques of New Zealand's capital, Christchurch.

In a tweet sent on Friday, Sanchez sent condolences to the victims, its families and the government of New Zealand.

"We emphatically condemn violence and the lack of reason of fanatics and extremists who want to break our societies," Sanchez has written.

'Utterly saddened'

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen also tweeted her condolences.

Tsai said: "I'm utterly saddened by the mass shooting in Christchurch, #NewZealand. My thoughts go to the victims & their families."

'Terrorism does not have a religion'

Pakistan's prime minister has condemned attacks on two mosques in New Zealand, saying he blames rising Islamophobia.

Imran Khan wrote on Friday on Twitter that "terrorism does not have a religion".

He added: "I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11 where Islam & 1.3 bn Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror by a Muslim."

Pakistani officials say there are no Pakistani citizens among the dead.

Pakistan has witnessed several attacks on places of worship in the past decade, especially targeting its minority Shi'ite community. - (AP)

Police clarified two improvised explosive devices found in one car

New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush says the death toll has increased to 49 in shootings at two mosques.

Bush told a news conference that a man has been charged with murder and will appear in court tomorrow.

He would not say whether the same shooter was responsible for both attacks.

A man who earlier claimed responsibility said he was a 28-year-old Australian and described anti-immigrant motives in a manifesto.

Police earlier said four people had been taken into custody, and one had been identified as Australian.

However, Bush didn't mention the other people.Bush clarified that police had found two improvised explosive devices in one car. He said they had disabled one and were in the process of disabling the second. - (AP) 

Nearly 60 people are being treated in hospital, Including children. (CNN reports)

CNN has also made the decision not to display footage being shared on social media. 

No reports of South Africans involved in mass shootings at New Zealand mosques - SA high commissioner

South African High Commissioner in New Zealand Vuyiswa Tulelo says at present no South Africans are reported to have been involved in mass shootings at two Christchurch mosques full of worshipers attending Friday prayers.

"At this point we have reached out to the foreign ministry and they have not confirmed the nationalities as of yet.

"We have no information about any South African being involved," she told Radio 702 breakfast show host Bongani Bingwa on Friday morning.

'The latest example of rising racism and Islamophobia'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the attacks on mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch calling it the "latest example of rising racism and Islamophobia".

Tweeting in English and Turkish on Friday, Erdogan said: "On behalf of my country, I offer my condolences to the Islamic world and the people of New Zealand, who have been targeted by this deplorable act."

He also wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.

Turkey's private NTV news channel quoted Turkish embassy officials as saying there are no Turkish citizens among the dead. - (AP) 

During a police conference, there has been confirmation that the death toll has increased, now 49 people who have lost their lives. 

41 people at one mosque shooting.

7 at the other mosque shooting.

1 died in hospital. 

The Latest on global reaction to the deadly shootings in two mosques in New Zealand

A top diplomat in the United Arab Emirates is offering his condolences over an attack on mosques in New Zealand that killed at least 40 people.

Anwar Gargash, the UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs, tweeted "heartfelt condolences" to New Zealand on Friday.

Gargash wrote: "Our collective work against violence & hate must continue with renewed vigor. Our thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims."

The UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, is home to expatriate workers from Australia and New Zealand. The country is a staunch Western ally. - (AP) 

'We are looking for three other Indonesian citizens'

Indonesia's foreign minister says six Indonesians were at the Al Noor Mosque in New Zealand when a shooting occurred and three of them escaped.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, "We are looking for three other Indonesian citizens."

The Indonesian Embassy in Wellington sent a team to Christchurch that is coordinating with New Zealand officials.

The foreign ministry says there are 330 Indonesian citizens in Christchurch, 130 of them students.

It said it strongly condemns the attack. "The government and the people of Indonesia convey deep condolences to the victims and their families." - (AP)

40 people have been killed in an attack at mosques - Arden

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says 40 people have been killed in an attack at mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.

Four people have been detained, and one is Australian.

Ardern said more than 20 people were seriously injured during the shootings at two mosques during Friday prayers.

Thirty fatalities occurred at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch. Seven of the dead were inside the suburban Linwood Masjid Mosque and three died outside the same mosque.

A man who claimed responsibility for the shootings said in a manifesto that he was a 28-year-old white Australian who came to New Zealand only to plan and train for the attack. - (AP)