SYDNEY, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Australia's New South Wales (NSW) Police said on Friday that police were investigating a second threat made against a mosque in southwest Sydney after another nearby mosque was threatened.

Authorities believed the incidents were linked and were treating them with utmost seriousness.

Lakemba Mosque revealed on Thursday that it had received an online threatening comment on Wednesday referencing the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack in two Christchurch mosques that killed 51 people.

During the investigation, the police uncovered a similar threat directed at a mosque in nearby Padstow on Thursday.

"They both reference the tragedies in the terrorist incident in Christchurch in 2019," Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Radio Sydney on Friday.

"The fact anyone is referencing that sort of horrific incident is something we're taking very seriously," McFadden said, adding the police have been working closely with the local Muslim community to ensure safety.

Regarding the online comment, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that there was no place for racism and Islamophobia in Australia, the ABC reported.

"I fully support the authorities as they investigate this incident and expect those responsible to face the full force of the law," he said.

These threats followed the recent arrest of a 16-year-old from Western Australia less than three weeks ago for making a similar reference to a Sydney mosque at Edmondson Park. Enditem

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