Bangladesh cricket team flee from Christchurch mosque shooting

The Bangladesh cricket team turned back and escaped from a Christchurch mosque they were about to attend as a gunman launched a deadly attack on worshippers.

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The Bangladesh cricket team were forced to flee from one of the two Christchurch mosques where a gunman opened fire on worshippers, with their tour of New Zealand now cancelled in the wake of the unfolding tragedy in the city.

Armed police were deployed at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch where the most deadly shooting happened at 1.40pm local time (11.40am AEDT) on Friday, with reports of numerous fatalities and serious injury.

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Mohammad Isam, the Bangladesh correspondent for Cricinfo, posted a video on social media of team members hurrying through Hagley Park away from the mosque.

Bangladesh team escaped from a mosque near Hagley Park where there were active shooters. They ran back through Hagley Park back to the Oval. pic.twitter.com/VtkqSrljjV

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) March 15, 2019

Local media reported multiple casualties at Masjid Al Noor and said another had been evacuated.

Local schools went in to lockdown as authorities moved to deal with the situation.

However all members of the Bangladesh cricket team were safely accounted for soon after.

“All members of the Bangladesh Cricket Team in Christchurch, New Zealand are safely back in the hotel following the incident of shooting in the city,” the team wrote on Twitter.

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in constant contact with the players and team management.”

All members of the Bangladesh Cricket Team in Christchurch, New Zealand are safely back in the hotel following the incident of shooting in the city. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in constant contact with the players and team management.#christchurchMosqueAttack

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 15, 2019

The third and final Test match between New Zealand and Bangladesh was due to take commence on Saturday Hagley Oval but will not now take place.

The decision to call off the match was arrived at quickly between the two governing bodies.

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

Strength and conditioning coach Mario Villavarayen told the New Zealand Herald: “The players are shaken up but fine. I spoke to one of them shortly after [the incident]. They didn’t see anything but heard gunshots.

Alhamdulillah Allah save us today while shooting in Christchurch in the mosque...we r extremely lucky...never want to see this things happen again....pray for us

— Mushfiqur Rahim (@mushfiqur15) March 15, 2019

“They were at the ground [Hagley Oval] and just started running.

“The coaching staff were all at the hotel. The players just started running when they heard the shots. I don’t know how many [shots] there were.”

Bangladesh wicketkeeper Tamim Iqbal also tweeted that the team were safe, while team analyst Shrinivas Chandrasekaran said there was “panic everywhere” at the scene.

Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers #christchurchMosqueAttack

— Tamim Iqbal Khan (@TamimOfficial28) March 15, 2019

Just escaped active shooters!!! Heartbeats pumping badly and panic everywhere!! #ChristchurchMosque

— Shrinivas (@chinu1501) March 15, 2019

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said this was one of NZ’s “darkest days”.

“Many of those who will have been directly affected by this shooting may be migrants to New Zealand, they may even be refugees here. They have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and it is their home.

“They are us,” Ms Ardern said.

“The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not. They have no place in New Zealand. There is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence, which it is clear this act was.

“For now, my thoughts, and I’m sure the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those who have been affected, and also with their families. My thoughts also to those

in Christchurch, who are still dealing with an unfolding situation.”

Originally published as Bangladesh cricket team flee from Christchurch mosque shooting