Dozens of bodies were removed overnight from an Orlando gay club in the United States where a US born gunman shot a crowd of gay killing at least 49 and injuring more than 53.
Many have also stormed local hospitals in the area to donate blood for the injured, some of who are said to be in critical conditions.
The gunman, identified as Omar Mateen, had opened fire in the early hours of Sunday morning, interrupting an evening of drinking, dancing and drag shows at the club.
Authorities say Mateen emerged, carrying an AR-15 and fired relentlessly into the crowd. He also fired at police men who came on a rescue mission and took hostages before he was killed
The shooting is regarded as the deadliest in the history of the country.
Authorities said Mateen had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a 911 around the time of the attack
Authorities are wondering if it was an act of terrorism and are probing the background of Mateen, a 29-year-old American citizen from Fort Pierce, Florida, who had worked as a security guard. The gunman’s father recalled that his son recently got angry when he saw two men kissing in Miami and said that might be related to the assault.
Thirty-nine of the dead were reportedly killed at the club while 10 died in the hospital.