VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of condolence to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) for the earthquake and tsunami that hit certain parts of Central Sulawesi Province on Friday.

"Russia shares sadness with the Indonesian people," Putin stated in a release sent by the Russian Embassy in Jakarta to ANTARA in Jakarta on Sunday.

President Putin expressed his sympathy and support for the families and relatives of the victims, and hoped that the catastrophic situation can be well recovered as soon as possible.

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake with a center at a depth of 10 kilometers at 27 kilometers northeast of Donggala, Central Sulawesi, occurred on Friday (Sept 28) at 05.02 p.m. local time.

This earthquake triggered a tsunami with 0.5 to six meters high on the west coast of Central Sulawesi Province.

These disasters resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries, and severe damage in Palu, the provonce`s capital city, and Donggala District.

Until Sunday afternoon, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded that the death toll had reached 832, while the number of injured victims reached 540 people.

The earthquake and tsunami also caused thousands of people to take refuge to safe locations, and tens of thousands of houses got damaged.

Besides Russia, expressions of condolences had also been conveyed by the South African government in a written statement received by Antara.

"Our prayers for the people of Indonesia who are facing this difficult situation, especially for families who have lost their loved ones," the South African Embassy stated. (ANTARA)