New Delhi/Christchurch: Nine people from India or of Indian origin have been missing after Friday’s shooting at two mosques in Christchurch in which 49 people have died, the Indian envoy in New Zealand said.
Two Indians have died in the attacks, a third is battling for his life, Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of AIMIM (All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen Party) said.
During the Friday prayers, a gunman live-streamed footage of him going room-to-room, victim to victim, shooting the wounded from close range as they struggled to crawl away. He has been identified as an Australian extremist, the gunman had also published a “manifesto”, in which he referred to immigrants as “invaders”.
“As per updates received from multiple sources there are 9 missing persons of Indian nationality/ origin. Official confirmation still awaited. Huge crime against humanity. Our prayers with their families,” High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli tweeted.
In the evening, the foreign ministry issued a statement that read, “The Prime Minister stressed India’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and of all those who support such acts of violence. He stressed that hatred and violence have no place in diverse and democratic societies”.
