In a letter addressed to New Zealand’s Prime Minister, the Honourable Elizabeth Ardern, Prime Minister Harris stated that he was “disheartened to awake this morning to the extremely sad news of the brutal act of terrorism meted out on innocent people while in the havens of prayer and worship in your peaceful city of Christchurch, New Zealand.”
Describing it as a “highly unprecedented loss,” the St. Kitts and Nevis prime minister said his Government utterly and unreservedly condemns these and all other vicious and dreadful attacks on any part of the globe, as well as the ideologies that fuel them.
Prime Minister Harris added, “I am confident that the New Zealand community, known for its resilience, will recover from this woeful incident and its reputation as a tolerant and accepting society for all peoples will linger. Please know that we share your deep grief and mourn with all citizens of New Zealand during this difficult and most sorrowful time.”
International media outlets are reporting that forty-nine people were killed and another 42 injuries during the shootings at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Mosque.