Leaders extend sympathy over quakes in China

VGP – PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng on April 14 sent a message of condolences to his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao over the devastating earthquakes which have caused severe damage to both life and property in China's northwest Qinghai Province.

April 15, 2010 2:34 PM GMT+7

Houses collapsed due to the devastating earthquake in China’s Qinghai Province -Photo: Xinhua

Deputy PM, FM Phạm Gia Khiêm also delivered a message of condolences to Chinese FM Yang Jiechi.

The initial quake registered 7.1 magnitudes according to Chinese measurements. Five more followed of which the strongest registered 5.0 magnitudes.

The death toll has reached 617 by noon on Thursday with a further 9,110 injured. About 15,000 houses collapsed and 100,000 people need to be relocated, according to China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs.

China mobilized a huge rescue force including 5,000 troops, fire-fighters and medical teams whose convoys stretched almost the length of the 620-mile road that separates the earthquake zone from Xining, the provincial capital of Qinghai Province./.