Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has extended the country’s condolences to Japan and Ecuador following the deadly earthquakes that struck both countries.
“I wish to extend our condolences to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, President Rafael Correa, the government and the people of Japan and Ecuador, respectively.
“The people of South Africa share the pain and loss of the loved ones, their homes and property, and our thoughts and prayers go to all the affected families. We also wish the injured a speedy recovery,” President Zuma said.
Japan was struck by a powerful magnitude -7.3 earthquake, near the regional capital of Kumamoto on the Kyushu Island on Saturday, just a day after a sizable foreshock hit the region.
The number of fatalities is now standing at 41, according to the figures on Sunday. Some 1 500 were injured in the quakes while thousands have been evacuated.
Ecuador's central coast was also struck by a deadly earthquake this weekend. The strongest earthquake to jolt Ecuador in decades has killed 233 people and rescuers are racing to dig out survivors trapped in the rubble.
Government said South Africans in Japan and Ecuador or family members in South Africa requiring assistance should contact the South African Embassies in Lima and Tokyo or the Department of International Relations and Cooperation at 012 351 1000. - SAnews.gov.za-Xinhua
