Five people, some of them possibly children, have been killed in a shooting at a Quebec City mosque, the centre’s president said.
Mohamed Yangui of the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre confirmed the number of dead in a telephone call from the provincial capital.
Mr Yangui said the shooting happened in the men’s section of the mosque and feared some of the victims were children.
He said he was not at the centre when the attack took place but received some details from people on the scene.
He said an estimated 60-100 people would have been at the mosque at the time.
« We are sad for the families, » he said.
Authorities did not confirm the number of fatalities.
Quebec City police spokesman Constable Pierre Poirier said two suspects had been arrested, the mosque had been evacuated and things were under control.
Quebec premier Philippe Couillard described the act as « barbaric violence » and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to social media to express his condolences.
« Tonight, Canadians grieve for those killed in a cowardly attack on a mosque in Quebec City, » he tweeted.
« My thoughts are with victims & their families. »
He later said on Twitter that he spoke to Mr Couillard and was being briefed by officials.
The prime minister said the government had offered « any & all assistance needed ».
The mayor of Gatineau in Quebec, near Canada’s capital Ottawa, said there would be an increased police presence at mosques around his city and in the US, the New York Police Department said it was stepping up patrols at mosques and other places of worship.
New York mayor Bill Blasio said on Twitter: « NYPD is providing additional protection for mosques in the city. All New Yorkers should be vigilant.
« If you see something, say something.
« Our prayers tonight are with the people of Quebec City as they deal with a terrible attack on a mosque. We must stand together. »
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said on Twitter Sunday that he was deeply saddened by the loss of life. His office said no motive had been confirmed.
In the summer of 2016 a pig’s head was left on the doorstep of the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre.
The incident occurred in the middle of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Practising Muslims do not eat pork.
AP
