Image source, AFP

New Zealand's ambassador to the EU and Nato says his home country is "reeling" from the "dreadful" events in Christchurch.

David Taylor was speaking from an Irish Farmers Journal conference in Dublin.

"But, as the prime minister said, New Zealand represents diversity, kindness, compassion," he said.

"We're a home for those who share our values and a place of refuge for those in need - I'm getting choked up - and that will not change. We'll stay as strong as we have been and will continue and go forward from here."

Police in Scotland say they will be stepping up "reassurance patrols" around mosques following the shootings in Christchurch.

"There is no intelligence to suggest there is any specific threat to Scotland," said Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr.

"We are monitoring events in New Zealand closely and send our condolences to all those affected.

"We benefit from having strong and cohesive communities in Scotland. We stand together with all our communities and partners here and overseas, and will continue to work with them to counter the threat no matter where it comes from.

He also said officers would be "increasing engagement with communities of all faiths, giving advice on how people and places can protect themselves."

The president of the World Jewish Congress, a federation of Jewish communities and organizations, has expressed "horror and revulsion" at the attack in Christchurch.

Ronald S Lauder said: "I would like to express my horror and revulsion at the terrorist attacks which have targeted people attending two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand today during Friday prayers.

"I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims, and to the people of New Zealand. We must redouble efforts to combat hatred and division in our societies, from wherever it emanates."

Carl Pomare was in a vehicle passing one of the mosques when he saw people running for their lives.

He said: "I was driving just outside the mosque and I saw to my right lots of people running outside the mosque and on the same direction as me, along the footpath and they were running for their lives.

"I said to my work colleague, something is happening here, and the next second there was rapid fire and it wasn't fireworks it was a semi automatic rifle, and these people were being knocked down like ten pins right opposite where I was driving."

He added: "I saw them being hit from behind and they were falling to the ground."

Read more about what witnesses have been saying.

Buckingham Palace has released a statement from the Queen.

"I have been deeply saddened by the appalling events in Christchurch today. Prince Philip and I send our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.

"I also pay tribute to the emergency services and volunteers who are providing support to those who have been injured.

"At this tragic time, my thoughts and prayers are with all New Zealanders."

Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb, leader of Sunni Islam's highest seat of learning Al-Azhar, has condemned the "horrific terror attack" on the mosques in New Zealand.

Egypt's state-run news agency MENA reports the imam said the shootings showed "the disastrous results that may emerge from an upsurge in hate speech, xenophobia and the spread of Islamophobia".

Mohan Ibrahim,originally from Bangladesh, was inside the larger of the two mosques when the attack happened and managed to escape.

"Lots of people I know, I met them regularly in the mosque when I'd go there, these people are not any more. And that's really unacceptable," he said.

"I can't believe my eyes what I saw today."

Mr Ibrahim, who arrived in New Zealand as a student five years ago, added: "I never expected that, because I've been living here for five years and I know that New Zealand is one of the safest countries - but I'm so scared now. I never imagined like I have to face up to something that I saw today on my own eyes."

Read more about what witnesses have been saying.

TellMAMAUK, a UK-based group that supports victims of anti-Muslim hate, says it is "appalled" to hear about the "mass casualties" in Christchurch.

India's high commissioner to New Zealand has told the BBC there are unconfirmed reports of two Indian nationals and four people of Indian origin among the victims in Christchurch.

There are about 30,000 Indian passport holders and people of Indian origin in the city, Sanjiv Kohli says.

UK opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn says his heart "goes out to the victims of the horrific terror attack in New Zealand."

"We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in Christchurch and around the world," the Labour leader tweeted.

Bangladesh's high commission in Australia's capital Canberra has released a statement detailing "reports of death of three persons of Bangladesh origin" as well as a few who are "critically injured". They are awaiting official confirmation from local authorities.

The commission urges the Bangladeshi diaspora in New Zealand to stay indoors and listen to the police, and says the honorary consul Shafiqur Rahman will be in Christchurch on Saturday.

At least 49 people have been killed in shootings at two mosques in Christchurch - 41 at the Al Noor Mosque on Deans Avenue and eight at the Linwood Mosque to the east of the city centre. Another victim died in hospital.

Malaysia's foreign ministry has confirmed that two Malaysians were wounded in the attack and have been taken to hospital.

"Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms this senseless act of terror on innocent civilians and hopes that those responsible for this barbaric crime be brought to justice," a statement said.

Bangladesh's national cricket team appeared to have narrowly escaped the shooting at the Al Noor mosque.

Team manager Khaled Mashud said had they arrived "three or four minutes earlier" the team would have been in the mosque during the shooting.

Mohammed Isam, Bangladesh correspondent for ESPN, said he was with the players at the time.

"We ran through the park and headed back to the ground for safety and were there for about an hour.

"The players heard shots being fired, they saw people tumbling out of the gates and ducked under the bus."

The team were due to play New Zealand in a now-cancelled test match on Saturday.

Read more about what they've been saying.

New Zealand Police are at an address in the southern city of Dunedin, calling it a "location of interest in relation to the serious firearms incident in Christchurch".

Officers are evacuating residents and finding them alternative accommodation after they have cordoned off the area.

Image source, Reuters

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said "the fight against extremism in all its forms must come high on the agenda".

Speaking to broadcaster TV2, Ms Solberg said the shooting in Christchurch brought back memories of Anders Breivik, a right-wing extremist who killed 77 people at a Norwegian summer camp in 2011.

"This shows that extremism is still flourishing in many places".

Tamsinne Hatfield and her boyfriend Max Blunden, respectively from Middlesbrough and Kingston upon Thames, in England, were travelling in Christchurch when they saw police arrest a man.

The 25-year-olds went into a shopping centre after finding out there was an attack going on.

"A lot of people were oblivious as to what was happening," Ms Hatfield told the BBC. "You could see people looking on their phones and starting to realise what was happening."

They decided to leave the city in their van once they saw people had been killed.

Suddenly three police cars screamed past with sirens, stopping about 50m (164ft) away from them.

"We saw them all jumping out with guns," Ms Hatfield says.

"We stopped the van and saw they had a man against a car bonnet. It was quite calm, there was no shouting, it was like the man knew what was going to happen.”

There are reports that children witnessed the shootings in Christchurch, and the news will certainly be reaching young people around the world.

BBC Newsround has extensive advice for children on how to respond to violent and upsetting news they might may read about or see. The advice includes:

• You should feel free to talk about your worries
• It's normal to feel upset
• Do things that make you happy
• Remember that these things are rare