Colombo (News 1st): New Zealanders mourned the loss of 49 lives, while others spoke of their survival on Saturday (March 16), one day after Christchurch was rocked by shootings at two local mosques.

Noor Hamsah, who has lived in New Zealand for 20 years after arriving from Malaysia, was at Friday prayers when he heard gunshots. He ran away and survived by hiding behind cars.

The majority of victims were migrants or refugees from countries such as Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Somalia, and Afghanistan.

Muslims account for just over one percent of New Zealand’s population. New Zealanders, including famous actor Sam Neill, paid their respects by laying flowers.

Survivors speak up

Survivors of the Christchurch mosque shootings spoke of their lucky escapes on Saturday (March 16). Osman Ahmad, who was just released from the hospital, survived by lying under other people’s bodies, while his daughter fled when gunfire broke out.

Teenager Abdikina Ali-Hassarn said he was too scared to go back to his mosque. He was fortunately at work during the shooting.

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