At least nine Indian origin people are missing after the terror attack at two Christchurch mosques. The Indian envoy to New Zealand Sanjiv Kohli tweeted.
The High Commissioner added that the official confirmation of the number was still awaited.
Forty nine people were injured in the mass shooting, and over twenty people were reported injured. Two mosques were targeted by white extremists, at the Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and the Linwood Mosque in the city's outer suburb.
The nationalities of the victims were still not revealed by the New Zealand authorities.
As per updates received from multiple sources there are 9 missing persons of indian nationality/ origin. Official confirmation still awaited. Huge crime against humanity. Our prayers with their families
— sanjiv kohli (@kohli_sanjiv) March 15, 2019
The Indian high commission were contacted by friends and families of missing persons. The list of nine names is based on local contacts and hospitals.
The ministry of external affairs in India however said that the High Commission in New Zealand was still ascertaining more details about the possibility of Indians being affected by the terror attacks. The ministry urged the community to contact the mission for any assistance.
Ahmed Iqbal Jahangir from Hyderabad was confirmed to be one victim after MP Asaduddin Owaisi, said that he was shot at in the incident.
UPDATE: I’d like to thank @SushmaSwaraj for personally updating me about MEA’s efforts in assisting Ahmed’s & Ahsan’s families reach NZ in time
We are in touch with @MEAIndiaMEA & they have assured us that they’re making all efforts to get the visa process expedited https://t.co/pJ2O8a4BgL
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) March 15, 2019
Close to 200,000 Indians and Indian origin people live in New Zealand, off which 30,000 were Indian students.