Bloodied bandages on the road following a shooting at the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. Image Credit: Reuters

Multiple people were killed in mass shootings at two mosques full of worshippers attending Friday prayers on what the prime minister called "one of New Zealand's darkest days," as authorities detained four people and defused explosive devices in what appeared to be a carefully planned attack.

A body lies on the footpath outside a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, March 15, 2019. Image Credit: AP
People stand across the road from a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand. Image Credit: AP
Police console a man outside a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand. Image Credit: AP
An image grab from TV New Zealand taken on March 15, 2019 shows a victim arriving at a hospital following the mosque shooting in Christchurch. Image Credit: AFP
Members of a family react outside the mosque following a shooting at the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, March 15, 2019. Image Credit: Reuters
A police officer secures the area in front of the Masjid al Noor mosque after a shooting incident in Christchurch. Image Credit: AFP
A security official stands guard outside the Masjid al Noor mosque after a shooting incident in Christchurch . Image Credit: AFP
Ambulance staff take a man from outside a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand. Image Credit: AP
A man talks on his mobile phone across the road from a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand. Image Credit: AP
A view of the Al Noor Mosque on Deans Avenue in Christchurch, New Zealand. Image Credit: Reuters
Police escort witnesses away from a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand. Image Credit: AP
Armed police following a shooting at the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. Image Credit: Reuters
People wait outside a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand. Image Credit: AP
A police officer patrols at a cordon near a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand. Image Credit: AP
Members of the Muslim community wait outside a hospital after a shooting incident in Christchurch. Image Credit: AFP