Reactions to the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that killed at least 50 people and left 53 injured.

US President Barack Obama: “This is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, is an attack on all of us.”

Pope Francis: “The terrible massacre that has taken place in Orlando, with its dreadfully high number of innocent victims, has caused in Pope Francis, and in all of us, the deepest feelings of horror and condemnation.”

Florida Governor Rick Scott: “This is an attack on our people. An attack on Orlando. An attack on Florida. An attack on America. An attack on all of us.”

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton: “This was an act of terrorism. The authorities and the intelligence organisations are working hard and we’ll know more in the coming hours and days. For Now, we can say for sure that we have to redouble our efforts to defend our country of these threats here and abroad.”

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump: “Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don’t want congrats, I want toughness and vigilance. We must be smart!”

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders: “All Americans are horrified, disgusted and saddened by the horrific atrocity in Orlando... We do not know whether this was an act of terrorism, a terrible hate crime against gay people or the act of a very sick person, but we extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones.”

US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan: “We pray for those brutally attacked in Orlando. While we must learn more about the attacker, the victims and families will not be forgotten.”

Congressman Michael McCaul, chairperson of the House Homeland Security Committee: “This appears to be the worst terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11. It is a sobering reminder that radical Islamists are targeting our country and our way of life. But Americans will not be intimidated by these fanatics. Instead, tragedies like we saw in Orlando only strengthen our resolve to fight back against terror and prevail over extremism wherever it emerges.”

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini: “It’s a tragedy not only for the American people, but for the whole world, as all the massacres of people killed for their faith, for their sexual orientations, for their beliefs, in many countries are.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin: “Russia shares the pain and sorrow of those who lost their near and dear ones as a result of this barbaric crime and hopes for a speedy recovery of those wounded.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel: “Deeply shocked about the murderous attack. We mourn the dead and our thoughts are with the families of the injured.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn today so many people have been killed and injured following a mass shooting in Orlando, Florida... it is appalling that as many as 50 lives may have been lost to this domestic terror attack targeting the LGBTQ2 community.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron: “I’m horrified by reports of the overnight shooting in Orlando. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

Spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon: “The secretary-general condemns the horrific attack this morning in Orlando, Florida, in which dozens of people were killed and injured. He extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his solidarity with the Government and people of the United States.”

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg: “Terror and hate will not change who we are. Nato allies stand united in the fight against terrorism and in defence of our open societies.”

The Tony Awards: “Our hearts are heavy for the unimaginable tragedy that happened last night in Orlando... The Tony Awards dedicate tonight’s ceremony to them.”

- dpa