WASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) - The family of Virginia Tech gunman Cho Seung-Hui said on Friday it was sorry for his "unspeakable actions" and "never could have envisioned that he was capable of so much violence."

"We feel hopeless, helpless and lost," said a written statement issued by Cho's sister on behalf of her family, which had maintained silence since his shooting rampage on Monday in which he killed 32 people and then took his own life.

"He has made the world weep. We are living a nightmare," said the family, which remained in seclusion, its whereabouts unknown.

The family's first comments came on an official day of mourning for the victims of the deadliest shooting spree in modern U.S. history.

"On behalf of our family, we are so deeply sorry for the devastation my brother has caused. No words can express our sadness that 32 innocent people lost their lives this week in such a terrible, senseless tragedy. We are heartbroken," the statement said.

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