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New Zealand: Bangladesh cricket team escapes Christchurch mosque shooting; Frightening experience, says Tamim Iqbal

New Zealand police deployed armed officers in central Christchurch on Friday after reports that several shots had been fired.

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Bangladesh cricket team pose for photograph in New Zealand's Wellington (Photo: AFP)
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Bangladesh cricket team players who were in New Zealand to play a Test in Christchurch on Saturday were reported safe after shooting incident at a mosque in the centre of the city

The Bangladesh cricket team was in the vicinity of the shooting but all members were safe, a team coach told media.

"Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers," Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal said. 

"Alhamdulillah Allah save us today while shooting in Christchurch in the mosque," tweeted another player, Mushfiqur Rahim.

"We r extremely lucky...never want to see these things happen again....pray for us." Shrinivas Chandrasekaran, the team's high performance analyst, posted: "Just escaped active shooters!!! Heartbeats pumping badly and panic everywhere!!" 

Mario Villavarayen, strength and conditioning coach of the Bangladesh cricket team said the team was close to where the shooting occurred, but was safe.

He said the players were shaken up but fine.

Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus said most of the team were bussed to the mosque in Christchurch and were about to go inside when the incident happened.

New Zealand police deployed armed officers in central Christchurch on Friday after reports that several shots had been fired.

Witnesses at the mosque said there were several casualties in the shooting. Local media reported that a gunman opened fire inside mosque in Christchurch's Hagley Park. There were reports of armed police at a second mosque in the suburb of Linwood.

Police officials did not immediately comment on whether the incident took place in the mosque or nearby. There is no official confirmation on casualties.

Police advised people in the centre of the city to stay indoors.

"Police are currently responding to reports of shots fired in central Christchurch," the police said in a statement.

(With Reuters inputs) 

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