ASEAN Foreign Ministers on April 17 issued a statement on the recent earthquakes in some countries worldwide.

The statement declared that “all the ASEAN Member States are saddened by the recent earthquakes that occurred in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ecuador, India, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan, causing a number of deaths and damage to properties.

(Photo for illustration: asean.org)

ASEAN expresses its deep sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the Governments and peoples of the affected countries, especially the families of the victims of the earthquakes”.

ASEAN affirmed it is ready to expand cooperation and support in all possible ways in contributing to the efforts of the Governments and people of the affected countries to overcome the difficult time and bring about a speedy recovery.

The statement came after several catastrophes have happened in those countries from the beginning of April, killing hundreds of people.

According to latest reports, the latest earthquake in Ecuador on April 17 morning has killed 272 people. Meanwhile, the death toll in two powerful earthquakes in southern Japan on April 14 has climbed to 41 people, and rescuers are racing against time to search for victims buried under debris.

Source: VNA