Two Killed In New Zealand Before Women’s World Cup Opener
Two people and an armed attacker have been killed in a shooting in Auckland, New Zealand on thursday, hours before the opening match of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Five other persons, including a police officers, were injured and the gunman is also dead after the shooting at a construction site in the central business district of the city, close to a fan park for the World Cup.
The tournament gets underway on Thursday when New Zealand, who are hosting the competition with Australia, take on Norway in the opening match at Eden Park.
The Police said; ”they heard reports of a person discharging a pump-action shot gun inside a construction site on Queen Street after making his way through a building on the site, the man went into a lift shaft.”
“Further shots were fired by the gunman and he was found dead a short time later,’‘ Police added.
New Zealand Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins said; ”the attack was not being viewed as an act of terrorism and confirmed the World Cup would go ahead as planned.”
Hipkins said that the Police had neutralised the threat, stressing that there was no ongoing risk to the public and no political or ideological motive for the attack had been identified.
He thanked the brave men and women of the New Zealand police who ran into the gunfire, straight into harm’s way, in order to save the lives of others.
“These kinds of situations move fast and the actions of those who risk their lives to save others are nothing short of heroic,” he added.
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown later said ”all FIFA personnel and football teams were safe.”
“I can’t remember anything like this ever happening in our beautiful city. This morning’s events have been tragic and distressing for all Aucklanders, as this is not something that we are used to,” he posted on his Twitter handle.
FIFA in an official statement expressed its “deepest condolences” to the victims families and are in communication with authorities in New Zealand.
“The participating teams in close proximity to this incident are being supported in relation to any impact that may have taken place.”
REUTERS/ Jane Iyabode Aluko
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