SBW in tears over shootings

Sonny Bill Williams has shared an emotional video of support for the victims of the Christchurch mosque shootings.

The All Blacks and Blues rugby player is a Muslim and said, through tears in a video on social media, that he was struggling to comprehend what had happened.

‘‘Just heard the news. I couldn’t put it into words how I’m feeling right now,’’ Williams said. ‘‘Just sending my duas to the families, apparently there’s close to 30 people dead.’’

Dua is said to be the very essence of worship.

‘‘[I’m] sending out my duas to everyone that’s been killed today in Christchurch . . . you guys are all in paradise. I’m just deeply, deeply saddened this would happen in New Zealand.’’

All Blacks and Crusaders captain Kieran Read shared on Instagram that he had been stuck inside a school hall waiting for his daughters, Elle and Eden, to be released from lockdown.

‘‘Sending my thoughts to all victims today,’’ the message read.

‘‘Locked in the school hall waiting for the girls.’’

Williams and Read were among a host of Kiwi sportspeople to send their love and support to Christchurch, including Williams’ younger sister and New Zealand sevens player Niall Williams, Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea and Chiefs midfielder Anton Liernert-brown.