(UDHAYAM, QUEBEC) – President of mosque in Canada says attackers opened fire during evening prayers, killing five.
At least five people were killed and several were wounded after gunmen opened fire at a mosque in Quebec City during evening prayers, foreign media reports.
A witness told the Reuters news agency that up to three gunmen fired on about 40 people inside the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Center on Sunday (29th Sunday).
“There are many victims … there are deaths,” a Quebec police spokesman told reporters.
Two people have been arrested, police said.
Police later wrote on Twitter that the situation was under control after they evacuated people inside the mosque.
The mosque’s president, Mohamed Yangui, said: “Why is this happening here? This is barbaric.”
Yangui, who was not inside the mosque during the shooting, received frantic calls from worshippers at evening prayers.
He did not know how many were injured, saying they had been taken to different hospitals across Quebec City.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: “Tonight, Canadians grieve for those killed in a cowardly attack on a mosque in Quebec City. My thoughts are with victims & their families.”
[ot-caption title=”” url=”http://www.utvnews.lk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1-1.png”]
The mosque has previously been targeted in an Islamophobic attack. In June 2016 during Ramadan, a pig’s head was left on the mosque’s doorstep.
“Police have set up a perimeter around the mosque. That’s where things stand as of now,” reportedly.
Canada’s public safety minister, Ralph Goodale, said on Twitter that he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of life and injuries.
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard tweeted: “Let us unite against violence. Solidarity with Quebecers of the Muslim faith.” He also said Quebec categorically rejects “this barbaric violence”.
Scroll down to watch the video….
[ot-video][/ot-video]
