The Death Toll from the New Zealand Mosque Attacks Rises to 50

The death toll from the attacks on mosques in New Zealand has risen to fifty, while dozens more have been injured, with 12 individuals in critical condition. New Zealand media have described the attacks as the 'worst terrorist attacks' in the country's history. Brenton Harrison Tarrant, an Australian white supremacist, carried out the attacks during Friday prayers last week in Christchurch and is currently in custody. Mike Bush, the New Zealand Police Commissioner, stated on March 16 that security forces discovered another victim's body during investigations at the attack sites, raising the death toll to 50. According to Mr. Bush, 12 of the injured are in critical condition and receiving special care. Among the four people arrested following the attacks on the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Mosque in Christchurch, only one has faced formal charges: Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, who live-streamed his deadly attack on Muslim worshippers on Facebook. Police Inspector Mike Bush noted that it was determined that another armed man and woman arrested after the incident had gone to the site to help children. An 18-year-old was also arrested during police operations at the site and is expected to appear in court on Monday; however, police stated that his presence at the scene was unrelated to Tarrant's attack. The repercussions of Tarrant's attacks continue in both New Zealand and Australia. The Prime Minister of New Zealand has visited Christchurch and attended a memorial service in Wellington. New Zealand media and officials have described the Christchurch massacre as the 'largest terrorist attack' in New Zealand's history. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that there would be changes to gun ownership laws in her country. On Sunday, wearing a black scarf, she participated in a memorial service for the victims at a mosque in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, alongside hundreds of New Zealand citizens. New Zealand media have published images of citizens, both Muslim believers and others, gathering across the country with slogans of 'unity.' Some gatherings featured slogans of gratitude towards New Zealand, while others displayed placards reading 'This is not New Zealand,' indicating that such an event has no precedent in the country. Efforts to quickly identify the victims and allow their relatives to bury them are ongoing. Local media have praised an Afghan citizen named Abdul Aziz, who managed to prevent the death toll from rising at the Linwood Mosque. According to ABC Australia, Abdul Aziz went outside the mosque after hearing gunfire and called out to Brenton Harrison Tarrant, saying 'Come here,' and ultimately pulled the attacker out of the building during a 'chase.' The New Zealand police later succeeded in apprehending Tarrant.