The first victims of the Christchurch terror attack have been named, as dozens more remain missing – including a three-year-old boy.
Brenton Tarrant, 28, appeared in Christchurch District Court charged with murder on Saturday, after he allegedly stormed a mosque in Christchurch, opening fire with a semi-automatic shotgun and a rifle on about 100 defenceless people attending Friday prayers.
Authorities have confirmed at least 49 people were killed in the massacre and at least 40 were injured.
Haji Daud Nabi, 71, and Naeem Rashid have been confirmed dead by heartbroken family and friends.
Police confirmed on Saturday afternoon that at least one child was killed in the attack.
There are fears for three-year-old Mucad Ibrahim (pictured) who was last seen at the Deans Avenue mosque with his father and brother Abdi
Haji Daoud Nabi (pictured), 71, a father-of-five and retired engineer, moved to New Zealand from Afghanistan in 1977 and set up a new life as one of the ‘first Muslims in New Zealand’
Naeem Rashid (pictured), from Abbottabad in Pakistan, was hailed a hero after he tried to wrestle the gun from the Christchuch shooter on Friday
Mr Nabi, a father-of-five and retired engineer, moved to New Zealand from Afghanistan in 1977 and set up a new life as one of the ‘first Muslims in New Zealand’.
Two of his sons Omar Nabi, 43, and Yama Nabi, 45, appeared outside Christchurch District Court on Saturday morning where they shared photos of their father.
The pair were told to expect the worst on Friday afternoon after their father hadn’t returned from his Friday prayers.
Naeem Rashid, from Abbottabad in Pakistan, was hailed a hero after he tried to wrestle the gun from the Christchuch shooter on Friday.
He was badly wounded after he launched himself at the shooter in a bid to protect fellow worshippers.
He was quickly rushed to hospital following the attack, but later died.
A Facebook appeal was issued for missing man Lilik Abdul Hamid (pictured)
Naeem Rashid (centre), from Abbottabad in Pakistan, was hailed a hero after he tried to wrestle the gun from the Christchuch shooter on Friday
Mr Rashid worked in Pakistan at a private bank before moving to Christchurch where he worked as a teacher.
In a tragic twist, Mr Rashid’s 21-year-old son, Talha, also lost his life during the mass shooting.
Dr Khursheed confirmed to ARY News that his brother Mr Rashid and nephew Talha had been killed in the terrifying attack.
A Facebook appeal was issued for missing man Lilik Abdul Hamid but it has since been confirmed he did not survive.
‘A friend of one struggle… has passed away in New Zealand… the victim of NZ animal terrorist,’ a relative wrote on Facebook.
‘All Muslims are grieving and pray for you.’
Born in Indonesia, Mr Abdul Hamid was a practicing Muslim who lived in Christchurch.
Abdi said he ran from the mosque as fast as he could and thought his young brother (pictured) would be at the hospital
Omar (pictured) said his father was one of the first Muslims in New Zealand, opening the Tuam Street mosque in Christchurch, after discovering the country was a ‘slice of paradise’
A spokesman for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that five Pakistani citizens are missing.
The Pakistan Association of New Zealand (PANZ) confirmed 34-year-old Syed Jahandad Ali was also missing.
There were fears for three-year-old Mucad Ibrahim who was last seen at the Deans Avenue mosque with his father and brother Abdi, Stuff reported.
Abdi said he ran from the mosque as fast as he could and thought his family and friends would be at the hospital.
His father, who was shot, played dead before fleeing the scene.
Other missing victims are understood to be Vora Ramiz, 28, Hussain al Umari, 36 and a boy who goes to Cashmere High School.
A spokesman for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that five Pakistani citizens are missing (pictured: missing person Syed Jahandad Ali)
The Pakistan Association of New Zealand (PANZ) confirmed 34-year-old Syed Jahandad Ali was also missing
Indian politician Asaduddin Owaisi confirmed on Twitter Farhaj Ahsan, whose parents live in Hyderabad, was also reported missing.
At least one Jordanian was killed in the attacks and two are critical among the eight injured, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry announced, according to Arab News.
Khaled Haj Musatafa was reportedly confirmed dead while Jordanian barber Wasseim Alsati and his daughter were critically injured.
Mr Alsati, who moved to New Zealand for a better life, is recovering in hospital where he shared a video to social media.
Abdulrahman Hashi, 60, a preacher at Dar Al Hijrah Mosque in Minneapolis, told The Washington Post that his four-year-old nephew was killed in the attack.
Mr Hashi said his brother-in-law Adan Ibrahin Dirie was in hospital after suffering a gunshot wound.
He had been praying with his five children who all managed to escape except the youngest child who was killed.
Radio New Zealand has reported that a five-year-old girl died in the attack after she was reportedly chased by the shooter with her father.
There are 11 people who are currently in critical condition in hospital including a one-year-old boy, Stuff reported.
A two-year-old is among the seriously injured, said Greg Robertson, Christchurch Hospital’s head of surgery.
Indian politician Asaduddin Owaisi confirmed Farhaj Ahsan was also reported missing on Twitter
At least one Jordanian was killed in the attacks and two are critical among the eight injured, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry announced