Inquiry into New Zealand's deadliest shooting opens with memorial to victims

Women react as the national anthem is played during the national remembrance service for victims of the mosque attacks, at Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

WELLINGTON (Reuters) -A coroner’s inquiry into New Zealand's worst mass shooting opened on Tuesday with a traditional Maori welcome and a reading from the Koran in remembrance of the 51 Muslim worshippers killed by an Australian white supremacist.

Armed with high-capacity semi-automatic weapons, Brenton Tarrant, 32, killed 51 people and injured dozens when he opened fire in two mosques on March 15, 2019, in Christchurch.