Police have started their investigation and have asked people to avoid the area.
Police are responding to reports of a serious incident on Quay St, Auckland CBD, this morning.
A number of armed Police are currently responding and the public is asked to please stay indoors and avoid the area.
Further information will be provided when available.
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice)
July 19, 2023
Aukland Mayor Wayne Brown told local broadcaster RNZ that it’s hard to know exactly what happened, but he’s constantly getting updates from the police.
“It’s a terrible thing happening in our city at a time when the rest of the world is watching us about football,” he said.
The 2023 Women’s Soccer World Cup will kick off this Thursday afternoon (local time) in Aukland, which is the largest city in New Zealand. The incident, in fact, occurred very close to the concentration hotel of the Norwegian team, the team that will play the opening duel against their New Zealand hosts, according to the AP agency.
“We felt safe all the time,” Norwegian team captain Naren Mjelde said in a statement. “FIFA have a good security system at the hotel, and we have our own security officer in the squad. Everyone seems calm and we are preparing normally for tonight’s game.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has canceled a trip to the city of Hamilton and is preparing a press conference on the situation.
In a moment more information