President Bush said the US was "shocked and saddened"

"Schools should be places of safety and sanctuary and learning. When that sanctuary is violated the impact is felt in every American class and in every American community.

"Today our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts. We lift them up in our prayers. And we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering today."

"Terrible, terrible tragedy."

"This is a very dark day in Virginia history. This senseless tragedy has just hurt us to our very soul."

"My first thought was just how tragic this was for the university. It's a very tight, loving community, and I know that this is a very painful thing.

"It is difficult to comprehend senseless violence on this scale."

"We are in indescribable shock.

"We convey deep condolences to victims, families and the American people."

"We have to look at what happened here, but... I do believe in the constitutional right that everyone has, in the Second Amendment to the Constitution, to carry a weapon. Obviously we have to keep guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens."

"I would like to express, on behalf of Britain and the British people, our profound sadness at what has happened and to send the American people, and most especially of course the families of the victims, our sympathy and our prayers."

"The horror this unprecedented carnage inflicts on our entire nation is unfathomable."