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Today's Paper | November 22, 2024

Updated 17 Mar, 2019 05:44pm

In pictures: Heartbroken New Zealanders mourn victims lost to Christchurch mass shooting

Heartbroken New Zealanders lit candles and placed flowers at makeshift memorials set up in the city of Christchurch in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in the country's history.

Some mourners hugged their neighbours, while others stood in solemn silence at sites in the city centre, not far from the two mosques where Muslims gathered for Friday prayers were mowed down by a racist gunman.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the shooter, an Australian native, had chosen to strike in New Zealand “because we represent diversity, kindness, compassion.”

Mourners pay their respects at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. — AP

Signs are tied to a wall at the Botanical Gardens Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Christchurch, New Zealand. — AP

A woman photographs messages posted on a wall at the Botanical Gardens Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Christchurch, New Zealand. — AP

A young boy and woman sit and read messages posted on a wall at the Botanical Gardens, March 16, 2019, in Christchurch, New Zealand. — AP

Police stand by a collection of flowers near the Linwood Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. — AP

A mother and her son walk as they read messages posted on a wall at the Botanical Gardens, March 16, 2019, in Christchurch, New Zealand. —AP

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, left, speaks to the chair of Canterbury Refugee Centre Ahmed Tani, Saturday, March 16, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. — AP

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, left, speaks to representatives of the Muslim community, Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Canterbury Refugee Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. — AP

In this photo released by New Zealand Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to representatives of the Muslim community, Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Canterbury Refugee Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. — AP

Mourners stop at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, to pay their respects, Saturday, March 16, 2019. — AP

A handwritten message is placed at a collection of flowers left near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. — AP

Mourners pay their respects at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. — AP

Aucklanders gather for a vigil in Aotea Square in support of the victims of the Christchurch mosque killings in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019.

People hold up signs of support at a vigil in Aotea Square in support of the victims of the Christchurch mosque killings in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019.

A woman who lost her husband during Friday's mass shootings cries outside an information center for families, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Christchurch, New Zealand. — AP

A woman paying her respects to the victims of the attack at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque, Saturday, March 16, 2019, Christchurch, New Zealand. —AP

Residents gather together to mourn the loss of fellow New Zealanders at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque, Saturday, March 16, 2019, Christchurch, New Zealand. — AP

Shocked citizens pay their respects at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque, Saturday, March 16, 2019, Christchurch, New Zealand. — AP

Mourners hug as they pay their respects at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. —AP

New Zealanders comfort one another as they mourn the loss of fellow citizens at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. — AP

A man pauses while walking by to pay respects at a makeshift memorial outside Christchurch hospital in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. —AP

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