President conveys grief over earthquake in South West China

President Pranab Mukherjee today conveyed his sincere grief and sympathy over the earthquake in the Yunnan Province of South West China on August 3, 2014.

In his message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Mukherjee said, "It is with profound sadness that we, in India, learned of the earthquake that occurred in South West China's Yunnan's province causing a tragic loss of lives and large scale destruction of property in the area."

"I understand that relief and rescue efforts are ongoing and I am confident that the local authorities and your Government will soon be able to restore normalcy to the affected areas," he added.

He also said, "I extend on behalf of the government and the people of India, my deepest condolences to your government and to the bereaved and displaced families. Our sympathies and prayers are with them during this difficult time".

Earlier, on August 3, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake had hit southwest China reportedly killing at least 589 people and injuring around 1,300.

Reports said that the earthquake which was the strongest in the last 14 years had hit the Yunnan province at 08:30 GMT. Tremors were also felt in the neighbouring Guizhou and Sichuan provinces.

Rescue operations are underway as the government of China is sending 2,000 tents, 3,000 quilts and 3,000 folding beds to the disaster-hit areas.