New Zealand shooting: Police detains four, lockdown lifted

New Zealand Mosque Shooting Police talk to witnesses near a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday | AP

After distressing attacks on two mosques at Christchurch, New Zealand, the police have detained four suspects. They also secured a number of improvised explosive devices.

"Four are in custody, three of them are men and one is a woman," commissioner Mike Bush said, saying there were "significant" and "multiple" fatalities.

He added that the suspected IEDs found attached to the attackers' vehicles had been made safe by the military.

27 people have been feared dead after two gunmen opened fire in two mosques. Bangladesh cricket team who is in the country for a tournament have cancelled it and plan to head home. Some members of the cricket team were present at one of the mosques for prayers during the shoot, but have reported to be safe.

The police also lifted the lockdown they had placed on Christchurch. "Police can now confirm the lockdown of schools throughout Christchurch has been lifted," New Zealand Police said in a statement.

New Zealand police also warned against sharing footage of the shooting. "We would strongly urge that the link not be shared. We are working to have any footage removed," the police said on Twitter. A video that was earlier shared online by an unknown account has now been removed.