WASHINGTON--The Bush administration strongly condemned a series of coordinated terror attacks Wednesday in the Indian city of Mumbai in which Westerners reportedly were targeted.
The White House and State Department both denounced the attacks by teams of heavily armed gunmen who stormed luxury hotels, a popular tourist attraction and a crowded train station in at least seven attacks, killing scores of people and wounding hundreds.
"We condemn these attacks and the loss of innocent life," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. He said President George W. Bush had been told of the situation and would be kept updated. "We continue to seek more information," Fratto said
The Justice Department said the FBI was monitoring the situation closely and was prepared to offer help if Indian authorities asked but said no help had been requested.
At the State Department, deputy spokesman Robert Wood said all official Americans were safe and accounted for at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, which formerly was known as Bombay. He could not address reports that Westerners may been targeted in the attacks or were being held hostage.
"We are monitoring the situation very closely and stand ready to support the Indian authorities as they deal with this horrific series of attacks," Wood said. "At this point, we are unaware of any American casualties."
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