The Indian High Commission in New Zealand has confirmed that five people of Indian origin have died in the terror attack in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The High Commission tweeted the names of those confirmed killed.
Christchurch resident Kashinath Chirakkel attends Lincoln University, as did Ansi Karippakulam Alibava, one of the victims named.
He told SBS Malayalam that he is in a state of disbelief over the attack and the fate of Ansi, from the southern Indian state of Kerala, whom he knew personally.
''We cannot really believe what has happened; the place where the attack occurred is a usual place we visit on the weekends, for something like this to happen here is beyond our understanding,'' he said.
Kashinath who also comes from Kerala, came to Christchurch last year along with many others including Ansi.
''Ansi came to the university with us and we know her very well, and this is a really sad event and I don't know how to express more. This is the first time I am going through such an experience and I don't know what to say.''
A police officer stands guard in front of the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Sunday, March 17, 2019. Source: AAP
Kashinath says everyone is in a state of fear and are very cautious when going outside.
''We are all in a state of fear, yesterday after work my colleague was so terrified to go back home alone and I accompanied her to her house, as we don't know what will happen next'.
Another resident of Christchurch, Sunoy Sudarshanan, says that the city has always been a peaceful place and that the attack is not comprehensible.
''All are in a state of shock, all communities live in harmony here and this attack has caused a shock that even after two days we can't get over it. People have stopped going to the parks and outside as fear has taken over'', Senoy said.
Christchurch map. Source: SBS News
''Not only Indians, the death of anyone affects us, but this is also a close-knit community here in Christchurch and all are in a state of shock.
"When I heard about the incident I first went to pick my son from school."
The school as well as offices, went to into shutdown and this helped isolate the attacker; that, together with coordination from the authorities helped prevent further casualties, he says.
Friends of a missing man grieve outside a refuge centre in Christchurch, Sunday, March 17, 2019. Source: AAP
World leaders and members of different communities have come forward to express their solidarity to the families of the victims affected by the attacks.
The Indian High Commission in New Zealand says any Indian caught up in the Christchurch mosque incident and needing assistance could contact the High Commission.
“We are shocked to hear about the shooting in Christchurch,” India's Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj tweeted.
Australian man Brenton Tarrant remains the only person to be charged with murder over the Christchurch mosques massacre.
Tarrant, a former NSW personal trainer did not apply for bail when he appeared in court on Saturday and was remanded in custody without plea until April 5.
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