Canada condemns Caucasus bombing

Canada’s Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon “strongly” condemned Friday a suicide car bomb attack in the Russian Caucasus a day earlier that killed 17 people and wounded more than 100.

The bomb struck Thursday at a busy central market in the city of Vladikavkaz in the mainly Christian Caucasus region of North Ossetia.

“Canada strongly condemns the act of terrorism that took place yesterday in Vladikavkaz. We extend our condolences and deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those killed in the bombing, and we wish those injured a swift recovery,” Cannon said in a statement.

“Canadians stand together with the Russian people in deploring this cowardly act and the blatant disregard it shows for civilian lives. We reiterate our commitment to work with Russia bilaterally and through appropriate multilateral forums to combat terrorism.”

Russian officials were still trying to identify those killed in the attack on Friday and warned the death toll could still rise.