New Zealand authorities are racing to identify the 50 people killed in a massacre at two mosques so that their families can bury them in accordance with Muslim tradition.
In addition to the people killed in the attack Friday, an additional 50 others were wounded in the shootings, authorities said. Of the injured victims, 34 remain in Christchurch Hospital, including 12 in intensive care.
Islamic tradition calls for a person to be buried as soon as possible after death — ideally within 24 hours.
Prime
Minister Jacinda Ardern said Sunday that authorities had started returning
identified bodies to families, and all bodies will be returned by Wednesday.
Six disaster victim identification experts have traveled from Australia to help hasten the process, she said.
New Zealand police described efforts to identify the victims as “detailed and complex work” that must be completed thoroughly.
“It’s vital we have certainty around cause of death for any future court proceedings,” Detective Superintendent Peter Read said.
Chief Coroner Deborah Marshall addressed the difficulties faced by authorities in correctly identifying the bodies of the victims of Friday’s terror attack.
“There could be nothing worse than giving the wrong body to the wrong family,” Marshall said. “This is not going to happen here.”
Speaking at the same press conference, deputy police chief Wally Haumaha said that authorities are working closely with imams and the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.
“We acknowledge that the last 48 hours have been the most horrific in these families’ lives. We understand it is an added trauma for them that they have not been able to bury their loved ones quickly, according to their religious duty,” said Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha.
“This is an unprecedented event and the support of the Muslim leaders and their community has been invaluable.”
Diggers work behind a white screen fence to dig graves for some of the 50 people who died in Friday’s terror attack.
The victims’ names were not made public but a preliminary list has been shared with families, New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said Sunday.
Two days after the shootings, Brenton Harris Tarrant, 28, appears to be the only person in custody who has been linked to the attack.
Three other people who were initially detained were not involved in the attacks, Bush said, but authorities are not ruling out the possibility of other suspects.
“I will not be saying anything conclusive until we are absolutely convinced as to how many people were involved, but we hope to be able to give that advice over the next few days,” the police commissioner said.