School shooting draws worldwide condemnation

One story dominated global headlines on Saturday - the massacre at an elementary school in Connecticut which left 28 people dead, including 20 children.

A 20-year-old gunman indentified as Adam Lanza opened fire on Friday in one of the worst mass shootings in US history.

German television and newspapers led with the story as did Spanish and Russian news channels.

Indian media also reported on the story with some residents calling for tighter school security in the US.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) A LOCAL RESIDENT, SAHIL SHARMA SAYING:

"This year only there was an attack on a Sikh shrine and another attack on a school. So I think the U.S. governmentreally needs to look into the point that school security is a major concern for them."

In Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai sent his condolences, saying his country could especially share the pain of such incidents .

China state tv ran hourly broadcasts and regular updates as did South Korea's Yonhap News Television.

Australia's Channel Ten news bulletin described the US as a nation left shattered with many residents there also questioning US gun laws.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) SYDNEY RESIDENT JUNE WAIT SAYING:

"I think it's dreadful. I would hate for my children to be brought up in a society where they thought they had the right to bear arms normally."

Police said another adult was found dead at a related crime scene in the town - believed to be the shooter's mother Nancy Lanza.