YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. 49 people have killed in the shootings in mosques in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, police commissioner Mike Bush said on Friday, reports TASS.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the shootings as a terrorist attack.

Armed people entered the the Al Noor and Linwood Masjid mosques in Christchurch at about 13:45 local time 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.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan