Council to open book of condolences in wake of Norway massacre

Shetland Islands Council is to open a book of condolences for people wishing to convey their sympathies to the people of Norway following Friday’s massacre.The decision follows a similar move by Orkney Islands Council’s and was suggested by councillor Allison Duncan at Wednesday’s meeting of the local authority.

Councillors also observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for the 76 people who were murdered.

Arrangements for the book of condolence at Lerwick Town Hall are expected to be finalised on Thursday morning.

SIC convener Sandy Cluness earlier this week wrote to Norwegian Prime Minister  Jens Stoltenberg expressing the community’s condolences to the Scandinavian nation.

“I wish to express the heartfelt sorrow of all Shetlanders at the recent tragic events in Norway,” he wrote. “We have a common heritage and have shared the best and worst of experiences during and since the last war.

“But nothing could have prepared us for the sheer horror and great sadness experienced as we watched the events in Oslo and Utøya unfold on television.”