07/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission reacted on Wednesday with 'sadness and consternation' at the violent death of Michel Niaucel, the Regional Security Officer at the European Commission's Delegation to Abidjan (Ivory Coast). EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said she was deeply shocked, adding that many of the European Commission's agents worked in difficult, dangerous conditions and she was grateful for the important contribution they made to representing EU institutions abroad. Michel Niaucel was shot dead at home on Tuesday night by his own duty firearm. He lived in an EU residence at Plateau, Abidjan's business quarter. The exact circumstances surrounding his death were not clear on Wednesday as we went to press. (hb)