'Multiple fatalities' in New Zealand mosque shootings

An Australian extremist killed multiple Muslim worshippers during Friday prayers, authorities said, in an apparently livestreamed attack that forced the New Zealand city of Christchurch into lockdown.

Police said two mosques were targeted in the attack that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said marked "one of New Zealand's darkest days".

Witnesses spoke of victims being shot at close range, with women and children also believed to be among those killed.

The gunman at one mosque was an Australian-born citizen, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in Sydney, describing him as "an extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist".

It was not immediately clear how many attackers were involved, but New Zealand police said that four people - three men and a woman - were taken into custody.

Commissioner Mike Bush said there were "significant" and "multiple" fatalities. A number of IEDS (improved explosive devices) were also found and neutralised by the military.

A Palestinian man who was in one of the mosques said he saw someone being shot in the head.

"I heard three quick shots, then after about 10 seconds it started again. It must have been an automatic - no one could pull a trigger that quick," the man, who did not wish to be named, told AFP.

"Then people started running out. Some were covered in blood," he said, adding that he joined the fleeing crowd and managed to escape. Local media reported at least nine people were dead.

Video and documents circulating online - but not officially confirmed - suggested the shooter had streamed his attack on Facebook Live.

AFP has examined the footage, which has subsequently been taken down.

Journalists experienced in verification techniques said it appeared to be genuine.

New Zealand police described it as "extremely distressing" and urged web users not to share it.

A manifesto had also been posted online on accounts linked to the same Facebook page, suggesting the attack was racially motivated.

A social media account had also posted a number of pictures of a semi-automatic weapon covered in the names of historical figures, many of whom were involved in the killing of Muslims.

Police, who initially imposed a city-wide lockdown, sent armed officers to a number of scenes.

"This is an evolving incident and we are working to confirm the facts, however we can confirm there have been a number of fatalities," Bush said.

"Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high."