FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Gunman kills 2 in Auckland, hours before marquee event gets underway

Hours before the FIFA Women's World Cup got underway in New Zealand's Auckland, a gunman killed 2 people at a downtown construction site, close to hotels where participating teams have been put up.

While six other people, including a police officer was injured in the shooting, authorities revealed that the shooter was also dead.

In a statement New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said, 'The government has spoken to FIFA organizers this morning and the tournament will proceed as planned. I want to reiterate that there is no wider national security threat. This appears to be the action of one individual.'

The incident comes as New Zealand, one of the hosts, prepare to take on Norway in the opening match of the tournament on July 20.

The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 begins July 20 and will conclude a month later on August 20 with 32 teams vying for the title.

Australia and New Zealand are jointly hosting the quadrennial event.

with AP inputs