U.N. refugee chief warns New Zealand massacre the result of toxic politics, media

FILE PHOTO: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi walks during his visit to an informal refugee settlement in Mohammara, Akkar Governorate, Lebanon, March 9, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Ibrahim

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations refugee chief Filippo Grandi warned on Tuesday that a deadly attack on two New Zealand mosques was the result of the worst toxicity in politics and media toward refugees, migrants and foreigners that he had witnessed in more than 30 years.

In an attack broadcast live on Facebook, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers in Christchurch on March 15, killing 50 worshippers and wounding dozens of people.