Father and son buried in first funerals for Christchurch mosque attack victims

NEW ZEALAND

A father and his teenage son have been buried as the first funerals take place for victims of the New Zealand terror attack.

Khalid Mustafa, 44, and Hamza Mustafa, 15, were Syrian refugees and were murdered last Friday when a man opened fire at two Christchurch mosques.

Younger brother, Zaed, 13, watched the service from a wheelchair after being shot in the leg during the attack.

Hundreds of people gathered as mourners carried the bodies up to a freshly-dug Muslim grave site.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern later told reporters: “I cannot tell you how gutting it is to know that a family came here for safety, for refuge, and they should have been safe here.”

Hamza was a compassionate and hardworking student, said his school principle Mark Wilson, and hoped to become a vet.

Hamza was a compassionate and hardworking student, said his school principle Mark Wilson, and hoped to become a vet.

The bodies of 30 of the 50 victims have now been approved for release to families, said Ms Ardern, amid frustration from some families over the time it has taken.