Dozens killed in New Zealand terrorist attack: PM promises gun law changes

49 people are dead after mass shootings at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.

Dozens of others remain injured, many critical.

Four people were arrested, including an Australian man, 28, who has been charged with murder after live-streaming his shooting carnage on social media.

One of the arrested people was later found to be a person in possession of a gun who was trying to assist police.

The identity and role of the two other people is not yet known.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern says the Australian gunman was not on the radar of police and was not on a terrorism watch list

She said gun laws in New Zealand will be changed to make it harder to obtain  semi-automatic weapons.

NOW | Neil Mitchell live on-air until 10am to review the horrific events of the past 24 hours.

We also have reporters on the ground in Christchurch bringing you the latest news from New Zealand across the weekend. https://t.co/qC2eRk1WmR

— 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) March 15, 2019

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has branded it a “violent, extremist, right-wing terrorist attack.”

Dozens of people were shot at Al Noor Mosque by a man wearing military uniform shortly after 1.30pm (local time) on Friday afternoon.

The Bangladesh cricket team was in the area at the time of the shooting.

Emergency crews also responded to reports of gunfire at the nearby Linwood Masjid mosque.

Shots were also fired at Christchurch Hospital, which activated its emergency plan and has been dealing with dozens of victims.

Police later confirmed they’d found improvised explosive devices on cars, which have since been defused.

Footage of the shooting was disturbing live streamed on the internet by one of the attackers.

What has happened in Christchurch is an extraordinary act of unprecedented violence. It has no place in New Zealand. Many of those affected will be members of our migrant communities – New Zealand is their home – they are us.

— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) March 15, 2019