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WASHINGTON: The US, Britain and EU on Wednesday condemned the attacks in Mumbai which have left up to 100 people dead.
"We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks that have taken place in Mumbai, India," State Department's deputy spokesman Robert Wood said in a statement.
"Our sympathies go out to the families and friends of those killed and injured, and to the people of Mumbai," he added, saying the department was not aware of any American casualties.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice "has been briefed on the attacks in Mumbai and is monitoring the situation closely," another State Department official said.
Noting that "the situation on the ground is extremely fluid," the official, who requested anonymity, added that Rice will contact officials at the US Embassy in New Delhi and the US consulate in Mumbai.
She will be speaking to Indian government officials as well, he added.
The State Department said it was not aware of any American victims in the series of shooting and bombing incidents apparently targeting foreigners in India's financial capital. Some 200 people were also wounded in the attacks.
The agency established a call centre for Americans concerned about family or friends visiting or living in Mumbai.
In London, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband "unreservedly" condemned the attacks.
"Today's attacks in Mumbai which have claimed many innocent victims remind us, yet again, of the threat we face from violent extremists," he said.
"I condemn these attacks unreservedly.
"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured. The UK and India will continue their joint efforts to counter the actions of terrorists."
In Brussels, the European Union expressed indignation over the attacks and sent its condolences to the victims and their loved ones.
"The French presidency of the council of the European Union has learnt with horror and indignation about the terrorist acts just committed in Mumbai. It condemns them in the strongest possible terms," a statement said.
"Our thoughts go out first to the families and those closest to the victims," the statement said, and offered India the EU's "solidarity in these tragic circumstances."
The EU "shares in the mourning of the Indian nation and stands by its side during this dramatic test," it added.
A series of shootings and blasts across Mumbai late Wednesday left nearly 80 people dead, hospital officials told AFP.
The Press Trust of India said that as many as 200 people had been injured in the attacks, which saw heavily armed men with automatic weapons and grenades target luxury hotels in the south of the city and the main railway station. - AFP/de
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