Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs has offered condolences to the Secretary of State of the United States of America Anthony Blinken following the massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

In his message of condolence, the Maldivian foreign minister expressed deep shock and devastation to learn of the massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, which caused the tragic loss of 21 innocent lives including 19 children.

FM Shahid conveyed profound sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives, on behalf of the people and government of the Maldives.

He also assured the U.S. Secretary of State that the thoughts and prayers of all Maldivians are with the people and the government of the U.S. at this time of great distress.

An 18-year-old gunman opened fire at the Robb Elementary School on Tuesday, killing 19 children and two adults. According to Reuters, the elementary school went under lockdown due to gunshots in the area. The gunman opened fire inside the school minutes later.

According to Reuters, the school serves about 570 children in second through fourth grades and nearly 90 percent of them are Hispanic.