All humankind affected by loss of US space shuttle, Annan says

Offering his sympathies to those affected by the tragedy which struck the United States space shuttle Colombia, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said all humankind suffered a loss in the incident.

In a statement released by his spokesman, Mr. Annan said he was "deeply saddened" by the tragedy which took the lives of seven astronauts on board.

"His thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who perished on this mission," the spokesman said, voicing condolences to the Government and people of the United States, as well as to the Governments and peoples of India and Israel, which also lost crew members. "Because the exploration of space knows no national boundaries, the loss of the Columbia is a loss to all humankind."