The horrendous shootout at two mosques in Christchurch on Friday morning created humongous chaos in New Zealand. The incident resulted in as many as 49 people losing their lives and numerous have been injured.
Several members of the Bangladesh cricket team, who are currently on a tour to New Zealand for a bilateral series, were headed to the Masjid Al Noor mosque for Friday prayers and they managed to escape from the place just before the attack took place. Soon, the players rushed through Hagley Park to safety.
ALSO READ: Christchurch Test Canceled As The Visitors Escaped Gunshots In A Mosque
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden said the attack was an “unprecedented act of violence” and “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”. She said, “This is significant and I can tell you now this is and will be one of New Zealand’s darkest days. I would describe it as an unprecedented act of violence, an act that has absolutely no place in New Zealand. This is not who we are.”
In the aftermath of this attack, Bangladesh cricket team’s tour of New Zealand came to a sudden end as both the sides were scheduled to lock horns in the third and final Test that on 16 March in Christchurch.
https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1106500470284214272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1106500470284214272&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crictracker.com%2Fgorgeous-city-ruined-by-fools-says-kevin-pietersen-on-christchurch-shooting%2F
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by the shocking situation in Christchurch. A joint decision between NZC and the @BCBtigers has been made to cancel the Hagley Oval Test. Again both teams and support staff groups are safe.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 15, 2019
As soon as the news broke out, people from the cricketing fraternity took to their social media accounts to condemn the outrage and offer condolences to the victims.
Here’re the reactions:
Deeply shocked to hear about the Christchurch attack. Praying for the families who have lost their loved ones.
— K L Rahul (@klrahul) March 15, 2019
Shocking and tragic. My heart goes out to the ones affected by this cowardly act at Christchurch. Thoughts with the Bangladesh team as well, stay safe. 🙏🏻
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 15, 2019
Horrifying tragedy #Christchurch. I found NZ one of safest, most peaceful places, people are friendly. Spoke to Tamim big relief B'desh squad/staff is safe. World must together! stop hatred!Terrorism has no religion! Prayers for bereaved families. May Allah bless the departed.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 15, 2019
Extremely sad news coming out of Christchurch this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with those effected 🙏
— Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16) March 15, 2019
So saddened about the attacks in Christchurch today. My heart and duahs go out to all the victims and their families ❤️
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) March 15, 2019
Thoughts and prayers with everyone affected in the shooting in Christchurch. Horrendous scenes 😢🙏🏼
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) March 15, 2019
Shocked to see the visuals of shooting inside Christchurch’s Mosque. Are we not even safe inside places of worship now? #christchurch #NewZealandShooting pic.twitter.com/Qlkcq6TvOd
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 15, 2019
Shocked and strongly condemn the Christchurch, New Zealand, terrorist attack on mosques. This reaffirms what we have always maintained: that terrorism does not have a religion. Prayers go to the victims and their families.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2019
Thoughts with all the families affected by today’s attack in Christchurch. Saddened. Fuck this.
— Ish Sodhi (@ish_sodhi) March 15, 2019
There is no place that's safe for humanity because human beings are the biggest threat to this planet. #christchurchshooting
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) March 15, 2019
Meanwhile, ICC CEO Dave Richardson backed the move by the New Zealand and Bangladesh cricket boards and said, “Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by this horrendous incident in Christchurch. Both teams, staff and match officials are safe and the ICC fully supports the decision to cancel the Test match.”
