File photo Flags at the US embassy in Wellington and US consulate in Auckland are flying at half-mast as a mark of respect for the victims of the massacre of patrons of a Florida gay nightclub. Fifty people are dead and more then fifty more remain in critical condition after Omar Mir Siddique Mateen opened fire in the packed Orlando club 20 hours ago. In a proclamation President Obama said: “As a mark of respect for the victims of the act of hatred and terror perpetrated on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Orlando, Florida, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, June 16, 2016. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.” You can stay in touch with the unfolding tragedy and its aftermath in GayNZ.com's Live rolling coverage here.