Families frustrated as identification continues

MASS SHOOTING IN CHRISTCHURCH

CHRISTCHURCH: Police have confirmed 35 of the victims of the Christchurch shooting have been formally identified.

Initially, police hoped the majority of the 50 victims would be identified by last night and able to be returned to their families.

However, some of the victims had been more difficult to identify, and it was unclear how long it would be before they were able to be returned to families, police said.

Some members of the Islamic community had expressed misgivings about the length of time it was taking, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern defended the process.

Disaster victim identification staff had been working ‘‘incredibly hard’’, she said.

She acknowledged their systems were not designed for an event like the terror attacks.

Dr Anwar Ghani, from the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, expressed frustration on behalf of families who wanted to get their loved ones back for burial, though he acknowledged good progress had been made yesterday.

Dr Ghani said authorities had stressed the need for evidence collection and identifying the bodies with ‘‘absolute perfection’’.

‘‘When such a delay happens, and their loved ones were killed in this horrible shooting, they’re very anxious and just want to give them their last rites. We feel that it could have been done a bit faster.’’

Six victims were buried yes terday. One has name suppression. The others were Junaid Ismail, Ashraf Ali, Lilik Abdul Hamid and father and son Khaled and Hamza Mustafa, the first to be buried.

Thirty people injured in the mosque attacks are still in hospital.

Eight are in a critical condition, including a 4yearold girl at Starship Hospital.

Canterbury District Health Board chief executive David Meates said 49 people received hospital treatment for gunshot injuries after the attacks.

Some patients had been in ‘‘absolutely critical’’ condition, while others had more minor injuries, Mr Meates said.

One patient had undergone 11 surgeries and would face further medical procedures. ‘‘For a number of these individuals, this is going to be a long, long road to haul.’’

Mr Meates said the tragedy had taken a toll on staff, which had been under ‘‘extreme pressure’’ for years following major earthquakes and other disasters.

‘‘Like [for] many in the community, there’s a state of shock.’’