Chris Wood has opened up about last month’s terror attack in his native New Zealand, believing they will have grown stronger as a nation following the tragedy.

At least 50 people were killed and several dozen wounded in a hate-filled terror attack which targeted two mosques in the city of Christchurch.

The Burnley striker was born in Auckland before moving to England aged 17 when signed by West Bromwich Albion.

While the 27-year-old didn’t know anyone involved in the tragedy, he says it has affected the wider community, admitting the country ‘failed’ in keeping its people safe.

Wood, who has over 50 caps for his country said: “It’s a horrible tragedy what’s happened back there, the whole of the country is behind everyone who was affected.

“It’s nice to see the country and the world come to together in those circumstances. It just shows that it happens everywhere in the world. We’ll grow stronger from it.”

Wood wasn’t involved for his country during last month’s international break, with the tragedy coming just a day prior to Burnley’s defeat to his former club Leicester.

Wood added: “It would’ve been harder if people I knew where involved, there were people connected with New Zealand football, which isn’t great.

“It doesn’t matter who it was or who they are, it’s still the New Zealand community and it happened to them.

“They’re supposed to be safe in our country and we failed to live up to that.

“It’s about getting together as a nation and rebuilding.”

Burnley are back in action today at Bournemouth, looking to build on last weekend’s 2-0 win over Wolves which has seen them move five points clear of Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds, who occupy the final relegation place, are without a game today, before their arrival at Turf Moor next weekend for a crucial relegation six-pointer.

A win for Burnley at the Vitality Stadium, and against Neil Warnock’s side, would move them 11 points clear of the drop zone and almost certainly guarantee Premier League football for a fourth consecutive season.

But wary of the threat posed by Bournemouth, the striker said: “They’re a very good side, technically very good and they play good football.

“They’ve got a good manager down there who works well for them. As you say, they’re on the brink of safety.

“They still have to get over the line, which is very tough with the way they’re going.  Hopefully, we can go there and disturb them and get a good result.”

The Cardiff game is certainly looming large, and has grown in importance with now just one relegation place left to fill after Huddersfield and Fulham were confirmed as playing Championship football again next season.

Wood said: “It’s no doubt is a big game, it’s bigger for them in the situation we’re both in. as long as we do our job right on the weekend then it’s another point and another step forward.”