Death toll in New Zealand mosque attacks climbs to 49

MOSCOW (TASS/Philippines News Agency) — Forty-nine people have been killed in attacks on mosques in the city of Christchurch in New Zealand, New Zealand police commissioner Mike Bush said on Friday at a news conference that was broadcast on the website of The New Zealand Herald.

Armed people entered the Al Noor and Linwood Masjid mosques in Christchurch at about 13:45 local time (04:46 Moscow time) on Friday shortly after the day prayer, blocked the entrance doors and opened fire.

According to eyewitnesses, about 200 and 300 people were inside the building when the attack occurred.

Police told citizens to stay indoors.

All schools in the city were closed. (TASS)