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Putin expresses condolences to Tunisian President over terrorist attack on hotel in Sousse

According to preliminary data, 27 people were killed and 20 more were injured, including a Russian woman, the Russian foreign ministry says
Imperial Marhaba hotel in Sousse, Tunisia TASS/EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
Imperial Marhaba hotel in Sousse, Tunisia
© TASS/EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA

MOSCOW, June 26. /TASS/. President Vladimir Putin has expressed heartfelt condolences to Tunisian President Beji Gaid Essebsi over the death of Tunisian citizens and nationals of other countries during an attack by terrorists on a beach-front hotel in the town of Sousse, the Kremlin press service said.

One Russian national was hurt in a terrorist attack in Tunisia, the Russian foreign ministry said on Friday.

"According to reports coming from Tunisia, armed terrorists opened gunfire at vacationers on a beach of the Imperial and Soviva hotels in the resort city of El Kantaoui near the city of Sousse in the afternoon on June 26. According to preliminary data, 27 people were killed and 20 more were injured, including a Russian woman," the Russian foreign ministry said. "So far, there is no official information about citizenship of those killed."

"The Russian diplomatic mission in Tunis maintains close contact with the Tunisian foreign ministry and security services to find out whether there were more Russian nationals among those killed and injured," the ministry said.

Moscow "resolutely condemns this barbarous act of terror against peaceful Tunisians and foreign citizens aimed at undermining stability and security in friendly Tunisia," the ministry said. "We consider what happened there as an abominable crime which cannot be justified. Its organizers and committers must be severely punished. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those killed."

The Russian side calls on the Tunisian authorities "to do their best to prevent such tragedies in future and to ensure safe and secure stay in the country for foreigners," the ministry said.