REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a condolence message to Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) following the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck the Central Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. At least 832 people killed in the disaster that occured on Friday (Sept 28) evening.

“I am shocked to learn of the strong earthquake and tsunami that struck the Province of Central Sulawesi and saddened by the heavy loss of lives and devastation,” he said in a written statement received by Republika.co.id, on Sunday.

On behalf of the Chinese Government and its people as well as in his own name, Xi extended deep condolences and sincere sympathy to Jokowi and through him to the victims as well as the bereaved families and the injured.

Xi said Indonesia is a friendly neighbor of China. He emphasized that the Chinese side empathizes with the suffering of the Indonesian people in this disaster and stands ready to provide disaster relief assistance according to the need of the Indonesian side.

Xi believed that under the strong leadership of Jokowi and the Indonesian government, the Indonesian people will surely overcome this disaster and soon rebuild their homes.

Meanwhile, EU High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said the EU had activate its emergency satellite Mapping Service Copernicus to help the Indonesian authorities.

"The EU is ready with full support for the people of Indonesia at this time of difficulty and will continue to follow the situation to mobilize more support," the EU leaders said in a new release with a copy received here on Saturday.

Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin has also sent a message of condolence to Jokowi. Putin expressed his sympathy and support for the families and relatives of the victims.

He hoped that the catastrophic situation can be well recovered as soon as possible. "Russia shares sadness with the Indonesian people," Putin stated in a release sent by the Russian Embassy in Jakarta to Antara here on Sunday.

Besides China and Russia, expressions of condolences had also been conveyed by the South African government in a written statement received by Antara.

"Our prayers for the people of Indonesia who are facing this difficult situation, especially for families who have lost their loved ones," the South African Embassy stated.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has also offered condolences and sympathy through the Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi over the earthquake and tsunami that hit Central Sulawesi on Friday. He conveyed his deep condolences to all the families of the dead victims, according to a statement from the Japanese embassy in Jakarta.

"I express my condolences to the government and all the people of Indonesia for the earthquake and tsunami disaster that caused significant loss of life and damage on the island of Sulawesi on September 28, 2018," Kono remarked.

In addition, expressions of condolences were also conveyed by a number of government representatives from friendly countries including Britain, Australia, France and Denmark.

British junior minister for Asia Pacific Affairs Mark Field through his Twitter account @MarkFieldUK expressed deep condolences to all communities affected by the tsunami and earthquake in Indonesia.

"Our prayers are with family and relatives of the victims," Mark said, which was uploaded by the British Ambassador to Indonesia, Moazzam Malik.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in his Twitter account @ScottMorrisonMP, "very sad to hear the tragic events that occurred in Sulawesi".

By calling President Joko Widodo @jokowi's Twitter account, Morrison conveyed Australia's readiness to assist post-disaster recovery efforts.

The condolences were also conveyed by the French Ambassador to Indonesia Jean-Charles Berthonnet through his Twitter account @JCBerthonnet, as well as the Danish Ambassador to Indonesia Rasmus A Kristensen through the @DubesDmarkmark account.

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake with a center at a depth of 10 kilometers at 27 kilometers northeast of Donggala, Central Sulawesi, occurred on Friday (Sept 28) at 05.02 p.m. local time. This earthquake triggered a tsunami with 0.5 to six meters high on the west coast of Central Sulawesi Province.

These disasters resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries, and severe damage in Palu, the provonce's capital city, and Donggala District.

Until Sunday afternoon, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded that the death toll had reached 832, while the number of injured victims reached 540 people. The earthquake and tsunami also caused thousands of people to take refuge to safe locations, and tens of thousands of houses got damaged.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika