South African president Thabo Mbeki on Thursday expressed shock and dismay at the three explosions on commuter trains in Spain that left at least 198 people dead and hundreds injured.
The foreign affairs department said in a statement released in Pretoria that Mbeki had also sent his condolences to King Don Juan Carlos I, the government and people of Spain.
”During this moment of great sorrow and bereavement the thoughts and prayers of South Africans are with the government and people of the Kingdom of Spain and in particular with the families and friends of the victims of these devastating blasts,” Mbeki said.
”Please accept Your Majesty, on behalf of the government and people of South Africa our sincere and heartfelt condolences during this difficult moment.”
The SA government reiterated its outrage and condemnation of all forms of terrorism.
The Democratic Alliancealso condemned the attacks, calling it a ”brutal multiple terrorist attack”.
DA spokesperson Joe Seremane urged the South African as well as other governments to condemn the ”barbaric murder” of the victims and to offer any kind of assistance to bring the perpetrators to justice. – Sapa