President condoles deaths in Russian Metro blast

President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday condoled the loss of lives in the St. Petersburg Metro train blast.

Conveying condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mukherjee said: "Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the loss of innocent lives in the blast that occurred in the Metro system of St. Petersburg yesterday (Monday)."

Extending his sympathies to the families of the victims of the blast, Mukherjee said: "This is yet another reminder that the menace of terrorism must be addressed urgently and comprehensively by the world community."

"We pray for the early recovery of all those injured in the attacks," he added.

An explosion inside a Metro train in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Monday killed 11 passengers and injured 51 others.

President Putin, who was in the city when the blast occurred, visited the scene on Tuesday evening.

The suspect, Akbarzhon Jalilov, has been identified as a Kyrgyz national with Russian citizenship.

--IANS

rs/nir/vt