The Government of Maldives strongly condemned the deadly shooting at two mosques in New Zealand on Friday. The government also assured no Maldivians living in New Zealand was killed or injured in the attack.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih extended prayers and sympathies to the victims, their loved ones and the entire New Zealand community following the horrific mosque shootings in Christchurch. The president condemned the cowardly act in the strongest of terms reiterating terrorism and bigotry have no place in civilised society. He said Maldives is fully committed to continue working with international partners in the fight against the global menace.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid expressed the news was received with shock, adding he is deeply saddened by the news of Christchurch Mosque Attacks. The foreign minister further condemned all such evil acts of terrorism against innocent people in strongest terms. He extended thoughts and prayers to the victims and loved ones of those who have been killed and injured.
The suspect in an attack on mosques in New Zealand live streamed himself getting ready, going to the mosque and opening fire on worshippers who had gathered for prayers. In a live stream video widely circulated on social media, the suspect could be seen driving with guns in the front seat, looking briefly into the camera before walking to the front door of a mosque which he enters and starts shooting randomly. At one point he returns to the car to change guns and goes back to the mosque. The video shows the gunman driving off at high speed and later firing at parked cars and a building.
Police said the second mosque attack was in the suburb of Linwood, but gave no details. Another unconfirmed video taken by someone else appeared to show police apprehending the gunman by the side of a road. At least one gunman killed 49 people and wounded more than 20 during Friday prayers at two New Zealand mosques in the country's worst ever mass shooting.