The Indian High Commission in New Zealand has confirmed that 5 Indians were killed in the terror attacks where a white supremacist opened fire on worshippers at Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. The attack claimed the life of at least 50 people offering Friday prayers at the two mosques.
The High Commission further informed that two Indian nationals and two persons of Indian origin injured in the attack were receiving medical treatment.
The Indian High Commission put out the names of the five Indian nationals killed in the deadly terror attack with a message saying “With a very heavy heart we share the news of loss of precious lives of our 5 nationals in ghastly terror attack in #Christchurch”
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With a very heavy heart we share the news of loss of precious lives of our 5 nationals in ghastly terror attack in #Christchurch
Mr. Maheboob Khokhar
Mr. Ramiz Vora
Mr. Asif Vora
Ms Ansi Alibava
Mr. Ozair Kadir@kohli_sanjiv @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj 1/3— India in New Zealand (@IndiainNZ) March 16, 2019
The Indian High Commission also put out helpline numbers to assist the families of the deceased and a dedicated page to expedite a visa for family members of Christchurch victims.
Our helpline numbers (021803899 & 021850033) will remain available round the clock to assist families as we together cope with our shared grief.
We deeply mourn loss of all other innocent lives including people of Indian origin. 2/3— India in New Zealand (@IndiainNZ) March 16, 2019
Immigration NZ has set up a dedicated page to expedite visa for family members of Christchurch victimshttps://t.co/Hj9bgfM62h@kohli_sanjiv @BhavDhillonnz @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj
— India in New Zealand (@IndiainNZ) March 16, 2019
The death count in the horrific shootings has risen to 50 with victims ranging in age from two years to over 60 years, New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed on March 17. Earlier, police had said that 49 people were killed in the twin attacks.
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Giving out details of those injured, Bush said that 36 of them are undergoing treatment at Christchurch Hospital and three persons, including a child, remain critical at Auckland’s Starship Hospital, New Zealand Herald reported.
The country’s police chief also confirmed that Brenton Harrison Tarrant, the 28-year-old Australian-born suspect was the sole attacker who carried out the Friday’s attacks at the two mosques in the city.
The terror attack suspect, who live-streamed for about 17 minutes his rampage through the two mosques, was remanded in custody without plea until April 5.
Condemning the terror strike, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had described the attack as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days” and said it “appears to have been well planned”. She asserted that the country “will not and cannot be shaken” by the attack.