|
HONG KONG: World powers and Asian neighbors rallied around China
with sympathy and pledges of help after a massive earthquake that
left tens of thousands dead, missing or trapped.
“The thoughts and prayers of the American
people are with the Chinese people, especially those directly
affected. The United States stands ready to help in any way
possible,” President George W. Bush said in a statement.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Monday near
Chengdu, the capital of the southwestern province of Sichuan,
flattening schools, factories and leaving nearly 10,000 dead,
according to the official count.
But that figure was expected to rise
dramatically with at least 10,000 people buried under rubble in
Sichuan’s Mianzhu city alone.
“I extend my condolences to those injured and
to the families of the victims of [Monday’s] earthquake in
China’s Sichuan province. I am particularly saddened by the number
of students and children affected by this tragedy,” said Bush.
Hundreds were feared buried at Juyan Middle
School in Dujiangyan city, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the
epicenter, and rescuers have pulled about 60 bodies from the rubble
so far.
Bush’s sentiments were echoed by China’s
neighbors, with close ally Pakistan expressing shock at the
disaster.
“I am deeply shocked and grieved at the loss
of precious lives of our Chinese brethren and damage to property
caused by the severe earthquake that hit China,” President Pervez
Musharraf said in a message to his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao.
“We stand by the great Chinese people and assure them of our full
support and solidarity.”
Japan said its rescue teams were on standby but
expected that Beijing preferred to handle the disaster on its own.
Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province, also offered
condolences and pledged support.
South Korean President Lee Myung Bak told his
Cabinet to seek ways to help, while Australian Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd and French President Nicolas Sarkozy extended sympathy.
“I would like to let you know that I am deeply
moved and would like to assure you of France’s support for the
Chinese people in this difficult moment,” Sarkozy said in a letter
to Hu.
The European Union expressed sympathy over the
massive loss of life.
“We share the grief of all those who have lost
loved ones and express our heartfelt sympathies to those who have
been injured and suffered heavy material losses in this
catastrophe,” EU head Slovenia said in a statement.
Russia’s new President Dmitry Medvedev offered
help in a telegram to Hu. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also
offered condolences, and Canada said it was ready to send help,
while Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said he was saddened by the
disaster.
-- AFP
|
