Flags at half mast in Edinburgh in solidarity with twin town Munich

Flags are flying at half mast in Edinburgh in solidarity with its twin town Munich, after nine people were killed by a lone gunman.

Published 23rd Jul 2016

Flags are flying at half mast in Edinburgh in solidarity with its twin town Munich, after nine people were killed by a lone gunman.

Edinburgh's Lord Provost Donald Wilson has paid his condolences to the people of Munich, and the flags at Edinburgh City Chambers have been lowered.

The 18-year-old attacker, named in reports as Ali Sonboly, went on a shooting spree at a shopping centre and a McDonald's restaurant in the Bavarian capital on Friday.

Mr Wilson said: “On behalf of the citizens of Edinburgh, I offer our sincere condolences to the people of Munich and across Germany following yesterday's attack.

“Edinburgh has enjoyed a close relationship with Munich since becoming our very first twin city in 1954, so yesterday's events are particularly moving. Our thoughts are with the families of all those who have died and are injured.

“Tragedies like this seem to have been striking all too frequently in recent times.

“The flags flying above the Edinburgh City Chambers have been lowered to half mast as a mark of respect and support for all those affected.”

Munich was the first international city to be twinned with the Scottish capital in 1954.

It has led to school exchanges, teacher development programmes, sports and university youth exchanges, artist residencies and park development projects.

A celebration to mark 60 years of twinning links between Edinburgh and Munich was held in the German city in 2014.

Munich is also twinned with Verona, in Italy and Bordeaux, in France.