Finnish state leaders expressed their "condolences" to the Austrian government on Tuesday for the Islamist terrorist attack carried out on Monday night in Vienna, which caused 4 deaths and a dozen injured, including a police officer.
According to a statement released shortly after 10:30 am by the Helsinki Government Communication Department, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin "has expressed her condolences to Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz following the attacks in Vienna."
Marin extended those condolences and her "deepest sympathies" to the "families of the deceased and to others who have been touched by the attacks."
Sauli Niinistö: "Terrible attack"
A few hours earlier, through its Twitter account, the office of the President of the Republic also gave testimony of Sauli Niinisto's "deepest condolences" to the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, the Austrian people and the families of the victims.
President @niinisto has expressed his deepest condolences to President @vanderbellen, the Austrian people and the families of the victims of the terrible attack in Vienna.
— TPKanslia (@TPKanslia) November 3, 2020
The tweet from the office of the head of state describes the events as a "terrible attack."
Interior Minister: "Terrorism"
Even earlier than that, and in a stronger tone, Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo also conveyed her "condolences" to the Austrian Government.
But unlike the President and Prime Minister, Ohisalo described the events as a "terrorist attack" and called not to surrender to terrorism and hatred.
Olen lähettänyt osanottoni Itävallan kollegalleni Wienin terrori-iskun johdosta. Emme saa antaa pelolle sijaa ja siksi meidän on seistävä vahvoina terrorismia ja vihaa vastaan.
— Maria Ohisalo (@MariaOhisalo) November 3, 2020
"I have sent my condolences to my Austrian colleague after the terrorist attack in Vienna. We must not give in to fear and therefore we must stand strong against terrorism and hatred," Ohisalo wrote in her Twitter account.
