Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

A dozen still critical after NZ shootings

Christchurch Hospital says at least 12 people are still critical after a number of people were admitted with significant injuries after the mosque shootings.

A bouquet of flowers is placed near Christchurch Hospital.
At least 36 people injured in Friday's shooting remain in hospital, Christchurch Hospital has said. (AAP)

At least a dozen people - including a four-year-old girl - are still fighting for their lives after the Christchurch massacre that left 49 people dead.

The girl has been flown to Auckland's Starship children's hospital for treatment, while two other children - a two-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy - are in a stable condition in Christchurch Hospital.

Head of surgery, Dr Greg Robertson, told reporters on Saturday that 36 of the 48 injured people remain in hospital. At least seven have been discharged.

"Of the 36 patients that remain in hospital, 11 of them are in the intensive care unit, including one female aged in her mid-20s," he said,.

"All of those in ICU are what we would consider critically ill."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

He said most of the wounded who were shot while at Friday prayers at two Christchurch mosques were men aged between 30 and 40.

Christchurch hospital, which has experience with major trauma following the two earthquakes, was put to the test with 12 operating theatres in use throughout the night to treat the wounded, many who have suffered "quite significant" injuries.

"We have had patients with injuries to most parts of the body that range from relatively superficial soft tissue injuries to more complex injuries involving the chest, the abdomen, the pelvis, the long bones and the head," Dr Robertson said.

"Many of the people will require multiple trips to theatre to deal with the complex series of injuries that they have."

Four patients died on their way into the hospital.

Australian man Brenton Tarrant, 28, appeared in court on Saturday charged with one count of murder and is likely to face more before he reappears on April 5.

Two other people are in custody but have yet to charged.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world