Survivor claims he witnessed 'hero' tackle mass shooter at New Zealand mosque

A man who survived an attack that targeted two New Zealand mosques on Friday said he witnessed a "hero" tackle the shooter and wrestle the gun from his hands before chasing him out of the building.

Syed Mazharuddin told the New Zealand Herald that he was at Christchurch's Linwood mosque when the suspect, whose name has not yet been released, entered the place of worship during an afternoon prayer ceremony.

Mazharuddin said the man, an alleged 28-year-old Australian white nationalist, began firing wildly at the crowd when a Mulsim worshiper confronted him.

"The young guy who usually takes care of the mosque ... he saw an opportunity and pounced on [the gunman] and took his gun," Mazharuddin told the outlet.

"The hero tried to chase and he couldn't find the trigger in the gun ... he ran behind him but there were people waiting for him in the car and he fled."

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Despite the intervention, seven people were killed at Linwood mosque, minutes after 41 had just been killed in a connected attack at Al Noor Mosque, also located in the city of Christchurch.

One person later died at Christchurch Hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities to 49. At least 48 people, including some children, remain hospitalized with serious injuries.

Three people were arrested following the massacre. The 28-year-old suspected gunman, who allegedly left behind a disturbing 74-page manifesto, has been charged with murder and will appear at Christchurch District Court on Saturday morning, according to authorities.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned the attack on Friday, calling it "one of New Zealand's darkest days."

"It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack," she added.