Emotional scenes as New Zealand’s Prime Minister hugs mourners outside mosque after Christchurch terror attack
EMOTIONS ran high in Christchurch this morning as New Zealand’s Prime Minister hugged mourners outside a mosque.
Wearing a black head scarf, Jacinda Ardern, 38, hugged relatives before listening to them and offering comfort at the Kilbernie mosque.
The Prime Minister went on to lay flowers and pay her own tribute to the victims at a makeshift memorial outside the mosque.
Fifty people have been confirmed dead killed in the shootings as the bodies of victims begin to be returned to their families this evening.
Of those killed in the massacre, 42 died at the Masjid Al Noor mosque on Deans Avenue in central Christchurch, seven were killed at the suburban Linwood Masjid Mosque, and one person died at Christchurch Hospital.
We represent diversity, kindness, compassion. A home for those who share our values
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Dalia Mohamed, who was mourning Hussein Mustafa, the father-in-law of her daughter, said: “The prime minister, when she came wearing her scarf, that was big for us.”
According to Islamic law, bodies should be cleansed and buried as soon as possible after death.
Arden said today: “It’s likely to be a small number to begin with.
“It’s the expectation that all bodies will be returned to families by Wednesday.”
Cops are thought to have found another body at Al Noor mosque — the first of Tarrant’s two targets. There were fears the toll could rise to 60.
It’s been tough. We’ve never dealt with this
Mourner Abdi Ibrahim
White supremacist Brenton Tarrant, 28, remains the only person to have been charged in connection with the attacks at two mosques in the city of Christchurch on Friday.
He live-streamed the terror attack and outlined his anti-immigrant motives in a manifesto posted online.
Toddler Mucad Ibrahim was gunned down when maniac Tarrant burst into a mosque’s prayers.
Older brother Abdi, who escaped with their dad, said no one had seen Mucad since the shooting.
Abdi said: “At this stage everyone’s saying he’s dead. It’s been tough. We’ve never dealt with this.”
Other innocent victims were just four, 12 14 and 16. Their heartbreaking stories emerged yesterday as world leaders told of their shock and revulsion at the slaughter.
Somalian refugee Abdullahi Dirie, four, was one of 42 people to have who died at Al Noor mosque. His dad was among the injured.
MOST READ WORLD NEWS
Among the dead was keen footballer Heba Sami, 12. He had recently been pictured with a sign saying: “Everyone love everyone.”
Addressing New Zealand shortly after the attack, Ardern said: “We were chosen for the very fact that we are none of those things [hate, racism or extremism].
“Because we represent diversity, kindness, compassion.
“A home for those who share our values. Refuge for those who needs it. And those values will not and cannot be shaken by this attack,” she said.
“You may have chosen us – we utterly reject and condemn you.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.