Prez condoles loss of lives in Yunnan quake

President Pranab Mukherjee today conveyed to his Chinese counterpart his sincere grief and sympathy over the earthquake in the Yunnan Province of South West China that has killed nearly 600 people.

In his message, the President 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."
 

Mukherjee offered, on behalf of the Indian government and the people, his deepest condolences to the Government of China and to the bereaved and displaced families in the August three quake.

"Our sympathies and prayers are with them during this difficult time," he said.