New Zealand authorities are racing to identify the 50 people killed in Friday’s massacre at two mosques in Christchurch so that their families can bury them in accordance with Muslim tradition.
Three days after the devastating Mosque shootings, families wait to bury the victims. The Herald reports that there is some frustration among families at the length of time it is taking the authorities to release the bodies.
Although, on Saturday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said during a news conference that a few bodies would be returned to their families that night, and that she hoped all would be returned by Wednesday.
“Just give us back the bodies,” one woman yelled at the TV screen Sunday afternoon as members of the local Indonesian community gathered to show support to families of the mosque shootings.
Islamic tradition calls for a person to be buried as soon as possible after death – ideally within 24 hours.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said in a press conference that officials needed to be sure of the exact cause of death before bodies can be released to loved ones. This as the state builds a case against the Australian accused gunman.
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.”
On Sunday New Zealanders gathered all around the country to mourn the 50 victims. A vigil at Wellington’s Basin Reserve at saw some 12,000 people gather to show solidarity with the Muslim community and those who had lost loved ones. Politicians of all stripes were among the crowd, including Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy.
On Monday morning, Ardern told national radio that Cabinet will be discussing today, among other things, on when a national day of mourning might take place.
“I want to create the space for families to be able to mourn their lost loved ones. That will obviously be happening over the course of this week.”
