At least 49 people have died and multiple others were injured in an attack on two mosques in the city of Christchurch on March 15, New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush told reporters.

Bush said 41 people died in a mass shooting at the Deans Avenue mosque, while seven died in a separate shooting at the mosque on Linwood Avenue. One of about 40 people being treated for injuries at the Christchurch Hospital also died.

One male has been charged with murder while two other people remain in custody in relation to the attack, which happened around 1:40 p.m. local time on March 15 when armed gunmen opened fire at the two mosques. Two improvised explosive devices were found on one of the attackers' vehicles, Bush added.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called the mass shooting a "terrorist attack" that appears to have been well-planned. The national security threat level in New Zealand has since been lifted to high from low following the attack.