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

Mourners place flowers as they pay their respects at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand,, Saturday, March 16, 2019. New Zealand's stricken residents reached out to Muslims in their neighborhoods and around the country on Saturday, in a fierce determination to show kindness to a community in pain as a 28-year-old white supremacist stood silently before a judge, accused in mass shootings at two mosques that left dozens of people dead. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) — Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

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

Some mourners hugged their neighbours, while others stood in solemn silence at various memorial sites in the city.

AP Published March 17, 2019

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

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

Comments (33) Closed

Parris

Mar 17, 2019 01:29am

Everyone is Muslim today

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AR ZAKI MASUD

Mar 17, 2019 02:57am

A very very sad terror incident in a peaceful country Newzealand. Our prayers are with the victims, families affected and the great people of Newzealand. NZ Prime minister's remarks speak volumes of affection towards its minorities. My respects to her and the people of Newzealand.

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Bha

Mar 17, 2019 03:04am

Heartwarming love of humanity on display after a spree of coldhearted terrorist murders in a faraway land. Scenes and emotions not unfamiliar to us.

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FAR

Mar 17, 2019 03:45am

Newzealanders have proved that Humanity is on top of everything regardless of caste Religion ethnic background. Respect for this Nation.

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Ayesha

Mar 17, 2019 04:12am

Our hearts are weeping !may they straight go to heaven and InshaAllah they are in heaven now . Little kids , sons ,husbands .. how life would be for the families behind ? May Allah grant them great Saber Ameen .

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Daskalos

Mar 17, 2019 05:50am

Muslim or not, it is heartening to see the people in New Zealand expressing human sympathy and compassion.

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Humanity

Mar 17, 2019 06:03am

Heartbreaking

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Nasir

Mar 17, 2019 07:01am

Thanks for the pictures. very sad!

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helpless

Mar 17, 2019 07:30am

Humanity has not died yet.

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Goku

Mar 17, 2019 08:51am

@Parris, everyone is a human today....

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helping hands

Mar 17, 2019 09:37am

Thank you New Zealand for all the respect.

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Sara

Mar 17, 2019 10:32am

Everyone is human today. Being Muslim , Christian, Hindu, buddies or Jew means nothing. Everyone one is human.

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Nam

Mar 17, 2019 11:59am

Last picture. Man pauses. From what exactly?

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Ahmad

Mar 17, 2019 12:20pm

Its Hard not to feel anything while looking at these pic, my heart skipped a beat with every pic. I feel em because i lost my Father when i was kid.

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Ahmad

Mar 17, 2019 01:54pm

Heart breaking but also touched by the support and good will of the people of New Zealand

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Deepak

Mar 17, 2019 04:14pm

It breaks the heart. Extremely painful. When will this animosity end? No place in the world is safe anymore.

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Javed

Mar 17, 2019 04:18pm

A very sad incident. Our heart's bleeding. Thanks to pm Newzeeland whose emotion and sentiments were obvious .

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Mar 17, 2019 05:48pm

New Zealands innocence is stolen and you can see the heartbreak the citizens are going through.

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Adil108

Mar 17, 2019 06:17pm

We all thanks the people of New Zealand for their condolences and support. A wonderful harmony. Great people.

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Imran

Mar 17, 2019 06:27pm

@Parris, Thank you.

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Mar 17, 2019 07:29pm

New Zealanders are great and kind people.We the Pakistanis thank them.

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Imtiaz

Mar 17, 2019 08:00pm

@Parris, Beautifully said..this is called unity..irrespective of which religion ,caste ,creed you belong to

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Changez Khan

Mar 17, 2019 09:34pm

Wish world is like New Zealand whose people have great hearts with love and peace.

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M. Emad

Mar 17, 2019 11:48pm

10 Pakistani died in NZ mosques terror attack.

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Rahman

Mar 18, 2019 07:19am

Great respect to Prime Minister of Newsland.I wish more leaders like her in the world today.

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Javed Arshad

Mar 18, 2019 07:43am

Heart of humanity beats together - we are all one. Salute to all New Zelanders.

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Ameer Hamza

Mar 18, 2019 09:52am

Now the world community should not blame Islam & muslims causing for terrorists activities. It should be clear to every one that Terrorists have No Religion. Islam means Peace. We are all one in this tragic moments.

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Ameer Hamza

Mar 18, 2019 10:15am

Humanity cried over this sad incident which shows mankind is one.

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irfanhhss

Mar 18, 2019 04:16pm

A very sad incident.

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irfanhhss

Mar 18, 2019 04:18pm

Heart breaking but also touched by the support and good will of the people of New Zealand/

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Jimaod

Mar 18, 2019 04:36pm

So emotional and heart touching seen.

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Imtiaz Ali Khan

Mar 19, 2019 11:11am

Thank you New Zealand and special thanks to the great visionary Prime Minister of New Zealand Honorable Jacinda Ardern. Thank you for your brave leadership during this very tough time for us Muslims, your beautiful country and humanity. You have won the hearts of billion +++ Muslims and all the humanity lovers of this world. We will never forget your kindness Honorable Minister, it help us heal from this terrorist attack. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon

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Alpha

Mar 23, 2019 04:43pm

What a beautiful, compassionate and loving people. Hats off to the great nation of New Zealand and the people that call it their home.

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