Vietnam condemns Moscow terrorist attack

By VNA March 22, 2024 | 11:17 pm PT

A Russian Rosguardia (National Guard) servicemen secures an area as a massive blaze seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Photo by AP

Vietnam strongly condemns terrorism in all forms and firmly believes that the perpetrators will be strictly punished, said spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to the terrorist attack in Moscow Saturday.

"We are deeply appalled upon learning about this brutal terrorist attack and would like to extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Russian Government, people and families of the victims," spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said following the attack at the Crocus City concert hall in Moscow's northern Krasnogorsk suburb that killed at least 93 people and wounded over 100.

Acting State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on Saturday cabled a message of condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the attack.

The same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also sent his condolences to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

According to the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia, no Vietnamese citizen has been reported as victim in the incident so far.

Following the ministry’s directions, the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia is working closely with local authorities to keep a close watch on the situation and ready to take necessary protective measures in case any Vietnamese citizens are affected.

The embassy urged Vietnamese citizens in Russia to avoid crowded areas, stay informed about the situation and immediately contact the embassy via the citizen protection hotline +79166821617 or the citizen protection call center in Vietnam +84981848484 in case of emergency.