UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the deadly attack at the Boston Marathon, describing it a senseless act on a day of celebration in the city.
Ban said the violence was “all the more appalling for taking place at an event renowned for bringing people together from around the world in a spirit of sportsmanship and harmony.’’
More than 26,000 runners representing dozens of countries registered to participate in the event.
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and to wish those wounded a speedy recovery,’’ Ban said during a speech at the UN commemorating the Rwandan genocide.
“The U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday stopped short of calling the bombing in Boston a terrorist attack, but an unnamed White House official later said it was “clearly an act of terror’’.
“Any event with multiple explosive devices – as this appears to be – is clearly an act of terror, and will be approached as an act of terror,’’ the official said in a statement.
“However, we don’t yet know who carried out this attack,’’ the statement continued.
“A thorough investigation will be conducted to determine whether it was planned and carried out by a terrorist group, foreign or domestic.’’ (Xinhua/NAN)
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