In response to the car bombing at a market in the Russian town of Vladikavkaz, Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle sent a letter of condolence to his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov today (10 September).

The message reads as follows:

”I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the attack on a market in Vladikavkaz, which claimed the lives of so many people and injured many more.

I condemn this cowardly act in the strongest possible terms.The bombers and the people behind them must now be identified and brought to justice.

I would like to express my sincere condolences and profound sympathy to you, your Government and the people of Russia. At this difficult time our thoughts are with those who have lost friends and loved ones.“