Terrorism

New Zealand massacre: 40 dead, PM says act carried out by Australian born terrorist

Forty people have been killed and 20 people hurt after four terrorists stormed two Christchurch mosques in the worst terror attack on New Zealand soil.

The terrorist who killed at least 40 worshippers in one mosque was a right-wing extremist with Australian citizenship, Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison said.

Morrison said the shooting in Christchurch was carried out by “an extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist” who was an Australian-born citizen.

He declined to provide further details, saying the investigation was being led by New Zealand authorities.

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According to New Zealand Herald Ardern said it was an “unprecedented” situation and described it as a terrorist attack. Those in custody had not been on any terrorism 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. Three people were arrested in relation to the attacks, while one other was arrested separately.

Ardern said she could not give any more detail about the alleged offenders. There were two bombs attached to suspects’ vehicles but they had been disarmed.

The National Security Threat Level had been lifted from low to high.

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