A shooting in the city of Auckland, the most populous city in New Zealand, left three dead and six injured this Thursday, hours before the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and the ceremony and the opening match between New Zealand and Norway, precisely in the city on the north island of the oceanic country.
The incident occurred early in the morning at a construction site in the central area of the city, when the attacker entered a building and opened fire, according to police. "It is with deep regret that I can confirm that two people have been killed," New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said in a statement carried by local media.
Police confirmed shortly after that the assailant also died in the attack, bringing the death toll to three. At least six other individuals were injured, including a police officer, and were taken to Auckland Hospital. Three of them are in serious condition.
According to Hipkins, the authorities have assessed that it is not a "threat to the security of New Zealand" and that the tournament "will take place as planned". He assured that it is "an isolated incident" and that there would be a greater police presence to guarantee the safety of those attending and the authorities who will attend the World Cup event.
FIFA expressed its "deep condolences" to the families and friends of the victims. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured in this tragic incident," the world soccer body said in a statement.
The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, and the general secretary, Fatma Samoura, have been in communication with the authorities and "constant contact" with the affected teams, notes the statement from the sports entity. FIFA has been informed that this is an isolated incident not related to football operations and that tonight's opening match at Eden Park will take place as planned.
Australia and New Zealand will host the great World Cup event between Thursday and August 20, in which, for the first time in history, a total of 32 women's national teams will compete.
The indigenous tradition of the hostesses and a message of unity and female empowerment came together in the opening ceremony of the event. With a capacity of close to fifty thousand, Auckland's Eden Park stadium was decked out to host a fast-paced, ten-minute opening ceremony and the first World Cup match between New Zealand and Norway.
The festive atmosphere and the desire for soccer took over the atmosphere in a city that hours before had suffered the shooting. However, everything went according to plan and the stands were packed with fans to witness the starting gun.
The best natural landscapes of both organizing countries were projected accompanied by colorful drawings to give way to a performance that showed the world the roots of the two organizing countries Australia and New Zealand with indigenous songs and dances.
The icons of the rainbow serpent from Australia and the manta ray from the North Island of New Zealand took to the lawns of Eden Park to commemorate the legend of the creation of the two islands according to Aboriginal mythology.
The 32 participating teams, equaling for the first time in the men's tournament, were represented by groups dressed in the colors of the country's kits while performing a unity dance. In addition, the official ball of the competition was received as a gift from a representation of the participants to the current champions, the United States.
Finally, the World Cup logo was displayed on the central circle of the pitch and the New Zealand artist BENEE and the Australian singer and producer Mallrat performed Do It Again, the official World Cup song, which reflects the empowerment and unity they seek to characterize the World Cup event.
