Shooting reported at multiple mosques in New Zealand's Christchurch; casualties feared: Updates

Update at 2:00 PM: New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush: 49 people have been killed in shooting at two mosques in Christchurch

Update at 12:11 PM: We should not be giving any Oxygen to this act of violence. Least we can do is not share or actively engage this message of hate. This is not who we are, this act was not a reflection of who we are: NZ PM Jacinda Ardern.

Update at 12:09 PM:  New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern issues statement on the Christchurch mosque shootings in which 40 people have been killed.

Update at 12:08 PM: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says 40 people have lost their lives; more than 20 people seriously injured in mosque shooting

Update at 12:00 PM:

Update at 11:55 AM: ICC Chief Executive David Richardson: Our thoughts & sincere condolences go out to families and friends of those affected by this horrendous incident in Christchurch. Both teams, staff & match officials are safe& ICC fully supports the decision to cancel the Test match - ANI

Update at 10:00 AM: New Zealand police say they have defused a number of improvised explosive devices found on vehicles after the Mosque shootings .

Update at 9:30 AM: Mike Bush, New Zealand Police on shooting at a mosque in Christchurch: Four people in custody; one woman, three men. We are still looking at the circumstances around it. Let’s not presume that the danger is gone.

Update at 9:00 AM: New Zealand police urge the people to stay vigilant:

New Zealand police swarmed central Christchurch on Friday amid a shooting at a mosque in the South Island city. Local media reported of multiple casualties at one mosque and said another had been evacuated. 

"A serious and evolving situation is occurring in Christchurch with an active shooter," the New Zealand police said in a statement.

Police have not yet described the scale of the shooting but urged people in central Christchurch to stay indoors. And New Zealand media reported a shooting at a second mosque in a Christchurch suburb.

"This is one of New Zealand's darkest days. It was an unprecedented act of violence. Police have apprehended a person, but I don't have further details of him yet," says Jacinda Ardern New Zealand  Prime Minister on shooting at a Mosque in Christchurch.

The Bangladesh cricket team was in the mosque in Christchurch to play a test match, but all members escaped unharmed, the Bangladesh Cricket Board official handle tweeted on its official social media handle.

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(With agency inputs)