KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Haziq Mohd Tarmizi, 17, the son of Mohd Tarmizi Shuib, who is being treated for gunshot wounds at the Christchurch Hospital following Friday’s massacre at the Al Noor Mosque in the New Zealand city, is still missing.
This was confirmed by Mohd Tarmizi’s sister, who only wants to be known as Mariani, 49, when contacted by NST yesterday.
“It has been two days now, and my nephew is still missing. He is nowhere to be found. My sister-in-law informed me about the incident yesterday and told me that Haziq was missing.
“Until now, I have not received any news on Haziq. I’m sure that the authorities in New Zealand are searching for him now,” said Mariani, who could not hold back tears.
She said she will fly to Christchurch on Tuesday and will be accompanied by her cousin Nordiana Ahmad Fauzi.
“I also hope that my sister-in-law will stay strong at this difficult time,” she said, adding that she is praying for her brother’s speedy recovery and for Mohd Haziq to be found safe as soon as possible.
Besides Mohd Tarmizi, 42, his other son, Mohd Haris, 12, is undergoing treatment at one of the children’s hospitals in Christchurch due to trauma.
A search and rescue operation for missing loved ones in Christchurch following the terrorist attack is still ongoing, and family members are still anxious for news.
Channel NewsAsia reported that family members of the injured, killed or missing said that the authorities are still moving bodies from the two mosques to Christchurch Hospital, and only have the names of those being treated at the hospital.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, meanwhile, confirmed that Mohd Haziq is missing.
However, Saifuddin said that all three Malaysians currently being treated at the Christchurch Hospital are in stable condition.
Two other Malaysians – Mohd Nazril Hisham Omar, 46 and Rahimi Ahmad, 39 – were injured in the attack.
Forty nine worshippers were killed while 48, including children, were injured in the incident. The shooting took place at two mosques, the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Avenue Mosque.
Australian-born Brenton Tarrant, 28, who has been described as a right-wing extremist, was charged with murder yesterday.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the Friday incident as a ‘terrorist’ attack and constituted New Zealand’s “darkest day”.
In Alor Star, Mohd Tarmizi’s other sister, Zarina Shuib, 53, said her brother is expected to undergo an operation to remove a bullet this morning.
Zarina said she was informed of this by Mohd Tarmizi's wife, Marina Zahari.
"Marina said my brother could have sustained a gunshot wound to the head or back, as he was in a prostrate position, performing the sujud, when the gunshots began.
"Marina told me via Whatsapp that his condition is stable," Zarina said.
Reported by Esther Landau and M Hifzuddin Ikhsan
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