The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to express its deep dismay at the tragic events of Friday morning, when a gunman killed twenty-six people – including twenty children – at an elementary school in the United States.

Gábor Kaleta, head of the Foreign Ministry’s press department, told the Hungarian News Agency MTI that the Ministry extends its sympathy to the bereaved families.

Twenty-year-old Adam Lanza reportedly killed his mother at their home and then, armed with three guns and wearing a bulletproof vest, he drove his mother’s car to Sandy Hook Elementary School. There he shot twenty-five people – including twenty children – before killing himself.

Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, has said in a press release that she is deeply shocked by news of the shooting. José Manuel Durao Barroso, President of the European Commission, said that it is devastating to hear that young lives full of hope have been cut short by such a random act. Various EU leaders have also expressed their condolences following the tragedy.

(Prime Minister’s Office)