Dalai Lama expresses grief over quake in Taiwan

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday expressed sadness over an earthquake that struck Taiwan and contributed money for relief and rehabilitation.

In a letter to Taiwanese President Ma Ying-Jeou, the Dalai Lama conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for the well-being of those who were injured or lost their homes.

As a mark of his sympathy and solidarity with the people of Taiwan, he is making a token donation towards the relief and rescue work, an official statement by his private office here said.

At least 11 people were killed and 462 others injured in a powerful quake that hit Taiwan on Saturday.

Over 170 people were still unaccounted for after the 6.7-magnitude quake hit Kaohsiung city at 3.57 a.m. (Beijing Time), Xinhua quoted China Earthquake Networks Centre as saying.