‘5 Indians lost lives in New Zealand attacks’
| Date :18-Mar-2019 |
CHRISTCHURCH,
FIVE Indians have been killed in the ghastly terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch in which 50 people lost their lives, the Indian High Commission said on Sunday, as New Zealand grapples with the emotional fallout of its worst attack on Muslims. The attacker, identified by authorities as Australia-born Brenton Tarrant, 28, reportedly targeted immigrants during Friday prayers. Witnesses said victims were shot at close range. The High Commission confirmed on Sunday that five Indians were killed in the attack. “With a very heavy heart we share the news of loss of precious lives of our 5 nationals in ghastly terror attack in #Christchurch,” it tweeted. It identified them as: Maheboob Khokhar; Ramiz Vora; Asif Vora; Ansi Alibava; and Ozair Kadir. In another tweet later, the High Commission informed that Immigration NZ has set up a dedicated webpage to expedite visa for family members of Christchurch victims. (https://www.Immigration.Govt.Nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/family-members-of-mosque-incident) The Indian mission also said that a support group has been established in Christchurch to assist the families.
In another tweet, the Indian High Commission urged people to donate blood. “Blood donors reqd: there may be a need for blood donation for #Christchurch victims. If you are A+ or O+ please contact your nearest NZ blood bank branch. Thank you,” it said. The body of the 50th victim was discovered at the Al Noor mosque, where most victims were killed, when officials were removing the victims’ bodies on Saturday, New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said, told reporters on Sunday. The victims’ names were not made public. While a preliminary list of the victims has been shared with families, Bush said their bodies have not yet been released.
‘Efforts on to bring back body of Kerala woman’: ALL efforts are being made to bring the mortal remains of the 27-year-old woman from Kerala, killed in the in the Christchurch terror attacks, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said here on Sunday.
Ancia Alibava from Kodungallur in Thrissur district, among the 50 people who were killed in the shootouts at two mosques, was pursuing her M.Tech degree in an Agricultural University there. She had gone to the mosque to offer prayers along with her husband Abdul Nazar when the shootout took place. Ancia was reportedly in the women’s section. Her husband had a miraculous escape and informed relatives in Kerala about the tragedy. According to media reports, the family has also rejected the request of the New Zealand Government to perform the last rites in that country.
Christchurch was ‘lone wolf’ attack : THE man charged for Friday’s twin mosque attacks in this New Zealand city is believed to have acted alone. Three others arrested were not involved, police said. However, Police Commissioner Mike Bush said this were not yet completely conclusive. Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a self-described white supremacist, live-streamed the attack on Facebook as he killed 50 and injured 50 more in what is New Zealand’s worst attack, the ‘BBC’ reported his fair trial rights.
Hyderabad man slain in mosque attack to get NZ burial: FARHAJ Ahsan, one of the two men from Telangana, killed in the Christchurch terror attack, will be buried in New Zealand itself, his family said here on Sunday. Ahsan, 31, a software engineer, was one of the 50 worshippers killed in the horrific attack on the mosques during the Friday prayers.