By Zhou Jing

About 101 people were killed and 287 others injured when terror struck the Indian financial capital of Mumbai late on Wednesday night in a coordinated series of explosions and indiscriminate gunfire that rocked eight areas of the city, Indian hospital sources said.

World leaders condemned the terror attacks, and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

"Such violence is totally unacceptable," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon said in a statement issued by his spokesperson. "The secretary-general reiterates his conviction that no cause or grievance can justify indiscriminate attacks against civilians."

The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), strongly condemned the terrorist attacks, while expressing support for the Indian government in the fight against terrorism.

"The European Commission condemns in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attacks this night in Mumbai which have cost the lives of many innocent people and injured others. Terrorism is never justified and is no means to achieve any goal. We stand by the Indian government in its fight against terrorism," said the commission in a statement.

The EU's French presidency issued a similar statement Wednesday night.

US State Department spokesman Robert Wood said in a statement, "We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks that have taken place in Mumbai. Our sympathies go out to the families and friends of those killed and injured, and to the people of Mumbai."

The NBC networks quoted a State Department official as saying that all U.S. diplomats in India were accounted for and safe, but officials were still trying to account for any Americans who may have been staying in the hotels and areas affected.

US President-elect Barack Obama also condemned the terror attacks. His chief national security spokesperson Brooke Anderson said in a statement, "These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism. The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks."

Canada Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said in a statement, "Canada strongly condemns the savage terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which have left hundreds of innocent civilians injured or killed. These cowardly attacks are truly appalling."

"Canada stands firmly united with the government of India in condemning these despicable acts of violence," it said.

It reiterated Ottawa's commitment to close cooperation with India to promote international security and fight terrorism.

The leaders offered their sympathies to the families of the victims and the wounded and voiced their solidarity with India's government and its people.

"Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured," the EU statement said.

(China.org.cn November 27, 2008)