Attack in Kabul – FDFA position statement
Bern, 31.05.2017 - The FDFA condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack carried out in Kabul on the morning of 31 May 2017 which killed and injured a large number of people. The SDC’s cooperation office was also damaged in the attack. Fortunately there were no casualties among the staff working there. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter has sent a letter of condolence to his counterpart in Afghanistan.
The FDFA condemns in the strongest possible terms today’s heinous attack in Kabul which killed and injured a large number of people. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected and we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the victims’ families. We also hope for a quick and full recovery for all those who were injured in the attack.
The cooperation office of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is located close to the area where the attack took place. The shock waves were so strong that many of the windows shattered. Staff working at the office, however, were not harmed. For the time being, there is no information about Swiss citizens who may have been affected by the attack.
Mr Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has extended his sympathies to the staff at the cooperation office and assured them that the department will do all it can to support them. He has also sent a letter of condolence to his counterpart in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabani.
The FDFA's Crisis Management Centre is in close contact with the cooperation office and is following further developments.
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Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
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