Police Commissioner Mike Bush has again praised "members of the public who put themselves in harm's way" during the attack to save lives.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush is giving a press conference in Christchurch with counterparts from other services including Fire, Civil Defence and St John.

"Our priorities are public safety, not just here in Canterbury but nationally. We've deployed staff right across the country," said Mr Bush

The hospital's chief of surgery, Greg Robertson, has told reporters that 48 people were admitted following the attack.

Four people died on their way to hospital, he said. Seven people have since been discharged.

Of those that remain in hospital, 11 are in intensive care in a critical condition. These include two young boys, aged two and 13.

The majority of patients are males aged between 30 and 40, Mr Robertson said.

A four-year-old girl was also transferred to a specialist children's hospital in Auckland, Starship Hospital, and is in a serious condition.

The social network has removed r/watchpeopledie and r/gore after videos of the Christchurch shootings were widely shared online.

The channels - or "subreddits" - were forums for users to post videos of people being injured or killed.

"We are very clear in our site terms of service that posting content that incites or glorifies violence will get users and communities banned,” a company spokesperson said.

Jacinda Ardern has travelled to the city with Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, opposition leader Simon Bridges, Green Party co-leader James Shaw and Police Commissioner Mike Bush.

Many British newspapers are focusing on the footage that was live-streamed by the gunman, and the race to get it off various platforms.

The Sun splashes on one word: "Facebook"

The Daily Telegraph (UK) calls it "the first social media terror attack"

And the Daily Mail describes the "massacre shame of Facebook"

The Daily Mirror's front page - which has already proven controversial - describes the attacker as an "angelic boy"

Some British newspapers - including MailOnline, the Sun and the Daily Mirror - were criticised for publishing the gunman's footage after the attack.

MailOnline also sparked anger by allowing readers to download the attacker's "manifesto". The paper later said this was an error.

Residents have started leaving flowers at the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch, to pay their respects to the victims of Friday's massacre.

The mosques that were attacked remain sealed off by police.

Image source, AFP

Sky TV has stopped the channel from broadcasting in New Zealand after it showed a video of the attack.

Spokeswoman Kristy Martin told the New Zealand Herald newspaper that it would remain off air "until we are confident the footage won't be shared".

The suspect has been named in court as 28-year-old Australian national Brenton Tarrant.

After a brief appearance at Christchurch District Court, he was remanded in custody until 5 April.

Tarrant is currently charged with one count of murder, but the judge says this will inevitably rise.

Image source, Reuters

The first victim of the Christchurch shooting has been named.

Daoud Nabi, a 71-year-old Afghan man, was confirmed killed by his family.

Speaking outside the court where the suspect is currently appearing, his son Omar Nabi told Agence France-Presse that his father had travelled the world.

"He stopped in New Zealand and said, 'here's a slice of paradise'," he said. "It's outrageous, the feeling is outrageous. It's beyond imagination."

Image source, Reuters

The suspect has now appeared in court in Christchurch, New Zealand Police have said. It is almost 11:00 on Saturday local time.

The 28-year-old man from Australia has been charged with murder. It's not known if or how he pleaded.

"While the man is currently facing only one charge, further charges will be laid," the force wrote on Twitter.

"Details of those charges will be communicated at the earliest possible opportunity."

They added that 45 extra officers were deployed to Christchurch from other districts, and that another 80 would be drafted in later in the day.

A man has tried to get into the court in Christchurch where the 28-year-old suspect is appearing, allegedly in order to "knife" him.

The unidentified member of the public reportedly showed journalists from the New Zealand Herald the knife he had brought with him., external

New Zealand Police earlier said the court would remain closed, "due to the heightened security risk".

The British Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah tweeted: "No-one should fear going to a sacred place of worship."

Members of the Bangladesh cricket team have been seen checking in at Christchurch Airport on their way out of the country.

The team had been "minutes" from being inside the mosque when one of the shootings took place on Friday.

Their manager, Khaled Mashud, told BBC Bengali that the players had all been badly affected.

"Players were crying in the bus," he said.

Image source, AFP

Image source, AFP

Turkey has launched an investigation after it emerged that the suspect made several visits to the country, officials say.

Without giving dates, the anonymous official says the man charged with murder "visited Turkey several times and stayed for a long period in the country".

"We think that the suspect could have [then] been to other countries in Europe, Asia and Africa," they add. "We are investigating the suspect's movements and contacts in the countries."

Authorities in Sofia have also opened an inquiry after learning that the suspect may have visited Bulgaria in November 2018.

New Zealand Police have tweeted that the court where the suspect is due to appear will be closed to the public.

"This is due to the heightened security risk."

PM Jacinda Ardern confirms that the suspect held a Category A gun licence - and that, under that licence, he was able to legally buy the weapons used in that shooting.

She then repeats that this is why the country's gun laws need to be reformed.

PM Ardern said that the victims hailed from across the Muslim world, emphasising the global impact of the attack.

New Zealand is now working with consular officials from countries including "Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia", she said.

Image source, Reuters

PM Ardern says extra police are being sent to Christchurch. Residents are urged to stay at home.

PM Jacinda Ardern confirms an Australian citizen was the shooter. He is due in court on Saturday.