A man who survived the Christchurch terror attack last week has spoken of how he ‘played dead’ before escaping by jumping through a window.
Mustafa Boztas, from Turkey, was shot in the leg during the horrific massacre at the the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday, which left dozens of people dead and injured.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Boztas revealed he was shot in the leg by the right-wing terrorist attacker, and believes he only survived by pretending to be dead.
He also shared shocking footage he filmed of himself moments after jumping out of the window, as he lies in the street outside the mosque.
‘I survived because I pretended to be dead,’ Mr Boztas told Turkish media.
‘Everything happened suddenly when the imam was talking.
‘I was bent on the floor and I saw the terrorist approaching me. He shot me in my leg and I pretended I was dead.’
Despite being injured, Mr Boztas escaped through a window and managed to get outside.
According to Mr Boztas, it took about 20 minutes for the security and emergency forces to reach the scene.
Survivor: Mustafa Boztas, from Turkey, revealed he ‘played dead’ before managing to escape through one of windows of the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, during Friday’s terror attack which left 50 people dead
Horror: Video shows Mr Boztas just moments after he managed to escape the mosque, and sees him break down in tears
The footage, filmed by Mr Boztas himself, sees him show his bloodied hands to the camera
He said that he was one of the last few people they attended to as the mosque was so crowded.
In the footage, Boztas is seen sitting on the pavement with his hands covered in blood.
Armed police are gathered outside the mosque as Mr Boztas films several bodies around him before breaking down in tears.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today praised the bravery of worshippers at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre, as a lone gunman massacred their friends and family, saying the nation stood with its grieving Muslim community in this ‘darkest of days’.
As preparations for the first burials were underway for the 50 people killed last Friday, Ms Ardern singled out three worshippers, including one of the first killed in the attack.
Hati Mohemmed Daoud Nabi, 71, opened the door to the Al Noor mosque. Ardern said he ‘uttered the words “Hello brother, welcome” His final words’.
‘Of course, he had no idea of the hate that sat behind the door, but his welcome tells us so much – that he was a member of a faith that welcomed all its members, that showed openness, and care,’ she told parliament.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks at the Parliament Session in Wellington today, vowing never to utter the name of the twin-mosque terrorist gunman
Flowers left by residents are seen at a memorial site for victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks at an Islamic Center in Kilbirnie, Wellington
Ms Ardern, who has been widely praised for her compassionate and decisive handling of the tragedy, said she never anticipated having to voice the grief of a nation.
Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a suspected white supremacist who was living in Dunedin, on New Zealand’s South Island, was charged with murder on Saturday.
He was remanded without a plea and is due back in court on April 5, when police said he was likely to face more charges.
‘The families of the fallen will have justice,’ said Ardern, adding she would never mention the alleged gunman’s name.
‘He may have sought notoriety, but we in New Zealand will give him nothing. Not even his name.’
She ended her speech with the Arabic greeting ‘Al salam Alaikum’, meaning ‘Peace be upon you’.